From Rugby Roots to the Jets: Paschal Ekeji Nears NFL Breakthrough
Paschal Ekeji, a former rugby player from Lesotho, has earned a spot on the New York Jets practice squad through the NFL International Pathway Program and will play his first football game in the preseason.
Born in Lesotho to Nigerian parents and raised in Ficksburg, South Africa, Paschal Ekeji first encountered American football through a friend's challenge and YouTube tutorials. A professional rugby background led to an invitation to a Ghanaian NFL scouting event in 2022, though he was initially too young. He returned in January 2025, switched to defensive end, and was added to the Jets' practice squad via the International Pathway Program in November.
Coach Aaron Glenn and defensive lineman Harrison Phillips noted his rapid physical and mental development, including a weight increase from around 220 to 245 pounds. Ekeji made his on-field debut in the preseason against the Buccaneers, becoming the first to play a football game at age 24. He now prepares to line up against the Giants at MetLife Stadium, where he will see Odell Beckham Jr. in person.
Why it matters
The story highlights the NFL's effort to recruit talent internationally and a rare athlete transition from rugby to American football.
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