Former Kenya Simbas ace among athletes in 2026 NFL International Player Pathway
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 16.12.25. | 10:41
After five years of development, his progress was rewarded in August 2022 when he signed his first professional contract with the Premiership club
Former Kenya Simbas flanker Josh Weru has been named in the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) Class of 2026, becoming the only Kenyan selected in a program that features 13 athletes from 10 nations worldwide.
Weru’s inclusion marks a remarkable transition from elite rugby to the highest level of American football.
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Launched in 2017, the IPP program is designed to identify and develop elite global talent, offering athletes from diverse sporting backgrounds such as rugby, basketball and track and field a structured route into the National Football League (NFL).
At just 21, Weru brings a background steeped in rugby’s physical demands.
During his rugby days, Weru excelled as a backrow forward, primarily featuring at Number 8 or blindside flanker.
His journey began to gain momentum when he joined the prestigious Northampton Saints Academy in England at the age of 14.
After five years of development, his progress was rewarded in August 2022 when he signed his first professional contract with the Premiership club.
Weru’s rise also earned him international recognition. He was drafted into the Kenya Simbas setup by head coach Paul Odera in 2020, aged just 16, and went on to make a memorable debut at the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament.
However, a major setback soon followed. Owing to complex visa requirements associated with representing a Tier 3 rugby nation, Weru fell short of the 10 international caps required by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to qualify for a professional working visa in England.
As a result, he lost his Northampton contract and was forced to continue his career abroad, briefly turning out for US Dax in France.
Now, a fresh opportunity has emerged through the NFL’s IPP program, offering Weru a second chance on a global stage.
He will be part of a diverse class that includes Collins Arogunjo, Uar Bernard, Michael Daramola, Chibuike Madu, and Anjola Oketola (Nigeria), Kaia Clarkin, Jarrod Gray, and Laekin Vakalahi (Australia/New Zealand), Kaylan Faumui (Australia/Samoa), Felix Lepper (Germany), Kansei Matsuzawa (Japan), and Seydou Traore (Algeria, Ivory Coast, United Kingdom).
From January 2026, the selected athletes will undertake an intensive 10-week training camp at X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, Florida.
The program combines on-field training with classroom instruction before culminating in a showcase for NFL scouts.
The IPP remains a cornerstone of the NFL’s long-term strategy to globalize the sport and create a clear pathway for international athletes into the professional ranks.
After completing the program, participants are eligible to be signed as free agents or selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL regulations further encourage teams to take on IPP players.
Each franchise is allowed an extra international player on its offseason roster, while those not named in the final 53-man squad are eligible for a dedicated 17th spot on the practice squad.
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Since its inception, the IPP has helped 70 international players sign NFL contracts, with 22 currently on active rosters.
High-profile success stories include Australia’s Jordan Mailata, Germany’s Jakob Johnson, and Britain’s Efe Obada.
