NFL Academy
The NFL Academy is an American football youth development program organised by the NFL. It has two locations: one in Loughborough, England, and one in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[1] The academy prepares athletes for American college gridiron football while providing a high school education.[2]
NFL Academy Europe-Africa
[edit]
NFL Academy Europe-Africa caters to students aged 16 to 19, and was established in 2019 at Barnet and Southgate College in Southgate, London.[3][4] The initial intake was 90 students, with over 1500 applying.[4] The academy's development was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it played its first match, against Düsseldorf Panther, in spring 2022.[2] In summer 2022, the academy moved to Loughborough following a tender process, using Loughborough University's sports facilities. Loughborough College provides A-level instruction, accommodation, and pastoral support.[2][5] In 2023, Steve Hagen was appointed head coach, having previously coached at the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.[1]
The academy's team plays against both European teams and American high schools. As of October 2024, they were unbeaten against European opponents.[2] Ten matches were scheduled for the 2025–26 season, including four against US high schools.[6] Since 2023, the team has played at least one game per year against a US high school at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in the build-up to the NFL London Games.[1] The 2025–26 team roster included 68 players from 20 countries.[3] Athletes are recruited through multiple pathways: some apply directly, some are scouted, and some are selected for their performance at recruitment camps. Since its establishment, the academy has grown increasingly competitive, with 3500 applicants for 30 places in 2025.[1]
Training is intensive, with students working 12-hour days and attending nine practices per week.[1][7]
In the 2025–26 season, there were 40 NFL Academy graduates in US college football, with 27 in Division I.[1] Tight end Seydou Traore was the first NFL Academy graduate to be drafted, being selected by the Miami Dolphins as the 180th pick of the 2026 NFL draft.[8] Buffalo Bills lineman Travis Clayton tried out for the academy in 2019, but chose not to continue with the program.[9]
NFL Academy Asia-Pacific
[edit]NFL Academy Asia-Pacific serves students from the Asia-Pacific region and is associated with A.B. Paterson College, in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[10] It opened in 2024 and caters to athletes aged 12 to 18.[3][11] Jordan Petaia and Laki Tasi trained at the academy for several months prior to joining the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders through the International Player Pathway in 2025.[12][13][14]
Notable alumni
[edit]| Player | Position | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Clarke[3] | Tight end | Temple (2023–present)[15] |
| Jordan Petaia | Tight end | Los Angeles Chargers (2025)[12][13] |
| Laki Tasi | Defensive lineman | Las Vegas Raiders (2025–present)[12][14] |
| Seydou Traore | Tight end | Arkansas State (2021–2022), Mississippi State (2023–2025), Miami Dolphins (2026–present)[8] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Tansley, Eduardo (10 October 2025). "Inside the NFL Academy: 6:30am gym sessions, school, and 68 students with a dream". The Athletic. New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b c d Jenkins, Tom (13 October 2024). "Tackles and textbooks: inside the UK's NFL dream factory". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b c d "NFL Academy Program Announces 2025 Games". NFL. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b "Super Bowl 2020: The NFL Academy & its first students on new path to US game". BBC Sport. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ Camden, Billy (5 May 2022). "NFL Academy set to touchdown in Loughborough College". FE Week. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "THE NFL'S UK BASED ACADEMY PROGRAM ANNOUNCES GAMES AND ROSTER FOR 2025-26 SEASON". Verge Magazine. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ Hogwood, Cam (28 August 2023). "Inside the NFL Academy: 6am alarms, Hulk personnel and a Wembley homecoming dream". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ^ a b Collins, Ben (26 April 2026). "Dolphins pick British tight end Traore in NFL Draft". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ Kahler, Kalyn (27 April 2024). "Could one of these international NFL Draft prospects be the next Jordan Mailata?". The Athletic. New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "NFL Academy Asia-Pacific". A.B. Paterson College. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ Horesh, Laurence (25 April 2024). "NFL announces new academy to be opened in Australia". ESPN. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b c Brown, Christian; Momoisea, Penina (26 February 2025). "New wave of NFL hopefuls Jordan Petaia and Laki Tasi aim to impress". ABC. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Jordan Petaia". Los Angeles Chargers. 2 April 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ a b "Raiders sign DL Laki Tasi". Las Vegas Raiders. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ^ "Peter Clarke". Sports Reference. Retrieved 16 June 2026.