Nigeria-Lesotho-South African winger Paschal Ekeji Jr. appeared set for a formidable rugby profession in 2022, however then an opportunity encounter with the Madden sport, and a few encouragement from Osi Umenyiora, modified his trajectory.
In December 2023, Ekeji was introduced as one in all 13 gamers from 12 international locations chosen as a part of this 12 months’s NFL IPP Program class. The group, at the moment coaching in Florida, is loaded with rugby expertise – together with former Wallabies utility again Jordan Petaia and former Clermont winger TJ Maguranyanga – who’s coaching with Ekeji Jr. for the EDGE place.
A former Western Province participant, Ekeji Jr. was born in Lesotho to 2 Nigerian dad and mom and the household later moved to Ficksburg – a brief distance throughout the border to South Africa, and holds citizenship for all three nations.
He had grown up rugby-obsessed and was sure that was his calling. Though he got here throughout soccer aged 17 on the world-renowned rugby faculty, Gray School in Bloemfontein, he by no means believed it might change into a profession on the time.
Ekeji Jr. informed ESPN: “Certainly one of my mates was talking about Madden within the classroom after which, he invited us over – me and a few pals – to play soccer one weekend and I bought thumped actually badly.
“I did not know something about soccer. Being as aggressive as I’m, I went again dwelling and searched Madden, American soccer highlights and techniques simply so I might give myself a chance to compete subsequent time and win.
“I believe that is the place it actually began. That is the place the fervour began to develop – I began watching increasingly of these movies, watching guys like OBJ (Odell Beckham Jr.); even watching faculty soccer, watching Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Burrow – that entire LSU 2019 group.
“That is when soccer actually grew to become one thing the place I actually started considering: ‘I would wish to do that.’
“On the time, I assumed: ‘I reside in South Africa. It is-fetched – this dream of mine. It is most likely one thing I can not actually do. There is no pathway.’ After I bought right down to the Western Cape, I met my agent, Gavin Jones. He informed me that he had bought an e-mail… They (the NFL) had been on the lookout for guys – they gave sure parameters, a sure peak or weight.
“He stated: ‘Look; let’s give it a shot if you wish to.’ [I said] ‘Let’s do it.’ We did just a little little bit of a mix right here in Stellenbosch. I despatched my numbers by way of after which, I bought invited to the primary ever [camp] in Africa, which was in Ghana in June in 2022… That is once I started to see that that is one thing that I can actually do. It is possible and there is a pathway.”
He performed two Currie Cup video games for Province that 12 months. Nonetheless, a knee ligament harm in early 2023 derailed his progress. Though he would make a profitable return to rugby within the 2024 Varsity Cup with Stellenbosch College, his spell on the sidelines had led him to replicate.
Ekeji determined that he would merely give his finest on each the rugby and soccer fields and let each journeys take their course.”I believe, for me, 2022 was a superb 12 months rugby-wise. I made my Currie Cup debut that 12 months and I used to be caught in between the 2. I assumed: ‘I will pray about it and no matter God guidelines, I’ll go by.’
“Early in 2023, I had a little bit of a knee harm. I believe that is the place it began to shift in direction of soccer. As soon as that occurred, I wasn’t actually able to re-sign any contracts and that type of stuff.”
Ekeji Jr. completed his honours diploma in agriculture at Stellenbosch and utilized his thoughts to the opposite learning he needed to do.
The primary constructive criticism that had been ringing in his ears because the NFL Africa Landing camp was that he wanted to study the sport of soccer higher, and he delved deeper into his self-studies – particularly specializing in studying the EDGE and outdoors linebacker positions.
He stated of his code swap classes: “Even in my EDGE room – for instance, TJ, he performed rugby as properly. We performed wing collectively, so generally, we discuss various things – possibly previous habits about rugby that we have to change when enjoying soccer or one thing that is just like rugby that we have to apply when enjoying soccer.”
The NFL IPP class not too long ago had the chance to talk to Jordan Mailata – a former rugby league participant in Australia who got here by way of this system and received the Tremendous Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“We have had guys are available in who’ve performed within the league like Jordan. They arrive in they usually provide you with a lot knowledge and data concerning the sport that you simply could not get simply sitting at dwelling and learning by yourself. The teaching is rising into us,” Ekeji Jr. stated.
“Proper now, in comparison with even every week in the past I believe I perceive the sport significantly better – my place, schemes, what protection works towards what sort of offensive personnel, what entrance you wish to have on this state of affairs.”
Halfway by way of the 12 months, Ekeji Jr. will study his destiny so far as making the league this 12 months goes. Gamers can both be signed as free brokers or, if eligible, chosen within the 2025 NFL Draft. Every NFL group is allowed one roster exemption for a qualifying worldwide participant from the beginning of the offseason programme till the ultimate roster reduce to 53 gamers.
After that, eligible worldwide gamers might be signed to a seventeenth apply squad spot, designated for worldwide athletes on any of the 32 groups.
No matter occurs for him this 12 months, it’s clear that most of the most gifted rugby gamers at the moment are starting to view the NFL as a critical choice.
