Former Kenya Simbas prospect turns American football dream into reality

Former Kenya rugby prospect Joshua Weru, on Saturday, 25 April, made his American Football dream come true, after landing a spot in the National Football League (NFL).

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Weru, who ditched rugby to pursue a career in the American football league, lived his dream after being snapped up as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles, having endured a long afternoon in the NFL Draft green room at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

As detailed by Mozzart Sport on Saturday, Weru, who is a son of former Kenya Harlequins rugby player Ken “KT” Thimba, had been expected to land a team in the seventh round of the NFL draft, only for him to see that opportunity pass by.

A couple of mock drafts projected the 23-year-old to be picked last (number 257) by the Denver Broncos, but the franchise opted for University of Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock.

Former Kenya Simbas prospect on the verge of history in 2026 American Football Draft

What that meant was that Weru needed to chart his NFL path through the undrafted free agency route, which offered him an opportunity to join any interested teams to make his way into their active playing rosters.

Philadelphia Eagles, just minutes after the conclusion of the Draft, proved to be his destination, as the team’s General Manager, Howie Roseman, snapped him up.

Jeffrey McLane, a sportswriter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, broke the news on X, writing: “Eagles GM Howie Roseman said he’s also signing Kenya’s Josh Weru from the NFL’s International Pathway Program (IPP).”

The move, which also saw Weru reunited with his IPP Class of 2026 teammate Ura Bernard, who was drafted to the Eagles in the seventh round, completed his arduous journey from what looked like a promising rugby career to the biggest stage in American football.

Having secured a pro-contract with English Premiership side Northampton Saints in 2022, things were looking up for Weru’s rugby journey, until he lost his status in the side due to a lack of a work permit after representing his national 15s side.

A short stint in French side US Dax was his last in the sport, as he took a gutsy decision to follow his American Football passions at Arizona State University, where IPP scout Mark Dulgerian took notice, and offered him a workout.

For the better part of this year, the 6-foot-4 Weru has taken part in IPP’s intensive 10-week training camp at X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, Florida, before showing out his talents at last month’s pro-day in Virginia.

Now, having landed in the promised land, the hard work starts for the defensive lineman to land a spot on the Eagles’ 53-man active roster.