Eastern Michigan Athletics
Odukoya To Compete for the NFL International Pathway Program
1/11/2022 10:26:00 AM | Football
13 athletes have been selected to compete for the 2022 International Player Pathway program
NEW YORK (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University tight end Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands-Helen Parkhurst-Garden City C.C.) is one of 13 athletes from nine countries competing for a spot in the NFL's International Player Pathway program.
The league announced Tuesday, Jan. 11, the athletes who will start training in the United States in February before getting a chance to work out for team scouts in March, hoping to be signed as a free agent. Players also can be picked or assigned to a practice squad in one of the NFL's eight divisions for the 2022 season. Odukoya is still draft eligible even with this opportunity.
Instituted in 2017, the program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster. This season, two players who entered the NFL through the IPP program, Jakob Johnson of the New England Patriots and Jordan Mailata of the Philadelphia Eagles, recorded their 1000th career snap. They join Efe Obada of the Buffalo Bills in IPP players to reach this milestone in their NFL Career.
Given the program's success to date, the NFL widened its search for international talent, hosting combines in England and Mexico this past October with 56 players from 16 countries participating. The league has identified top athletes from nine countries that will compete for a place in the program.
"The International Player Pathway program is an important part of our ongoing efforts to help ensure the best athletes in the world are playing in the NFL – regardless of their country of origin," said Damani Leech, NFL Chief Operating Officer of International. "We are excited to have players from around the world competing for a spot in the 2022 program."
One of the NFL's eight divisions, to be chosen at random, will receive the international players selected for the 2022 program should they not be signed to free agent contracts. At the conclusion of training camp, each player will be eligible for an international player practice squad exemption with his assigned team. This grants the assigned team an extra practice squad member. Under certain parameters, players can also be elevated to the active roster during the regular season.
Considered one of the most prolific blocking tight ends in the nation, Odukoya was one of the leaders, on and off the field, for Eastern Michigan. A 2021 team captain and former bearer of the No. 2, "Deuce" jersey, Odukoya was impressive in his senior campaign. A multiple-time watch list honoree for the Campbell Trophy, Wuerffel Trophy, and Mackey Award, Odukoya hauled in 13 receptions for 130 yards this season. He scored a touchdown in EMU's game at Bowling Green, Oct. 23, and started each contest for the Eagles this season. This season, Odukoya earned a spot on the All-MAC third team.
Odukoya, who will be in action this weekend at the Hula Bowl, is the first EMU student-athlete to play in the event since 1997.
Players taking part in the program:
The league announced Tuesday, Jan. 11, the athletes who will start training in the United States in February before getting a chance to work out for team scouts in March, hoping to be signed as a free agent. Players also can be picked or assigned to a practice squad in one of the NFL's eight divisions for the 2022 season. Odukoya is still draft eligible even with this opportunity.
Instituted in 2017, the program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster. This season, two players who entered the NFL through the IPP program, Jakob Johnson of the New England Patriots and Jordan Mailata of the Philadelphia Eagles, recorded their 1000th career snap. They join Efe Obada of the Buffalo Bills in IPP players to reach this milestone in their NFL Career.
Given the program's success to date, the NFL widened its search for international talent, hosting combines in England and Mexico this past October with 56 players from 16 countries participating. The league has identified top athletes from nine countries that will compete for a place in the program.
"The International Player Pathway program is an important part of our ongoing efforts to help ensure the best athletes in the world are playing in the NFL – regardless of their country of origin," said Damani Leech, NFL Chief Operating Officer of International. "We are excited to have players from around the world competing for a spot in the 2022 program."
One of the NFL's eight divisions, to be chosen at random, will receive the international players selected for the 2022 program should they not be signed to free agent contracts. At the conclusion of training camp, each player will be eligible for an international player practice squad exemption with his assigned team. This grants the assigned team an extra practice squad member. Under certain parameters, players can also be elevated to the active roster during the regular season.
Considered one of the most prolific blocking tight ends in the nation, Odukoya was one of the leaders, on and off the field, for Eastern Michigan. A 2021 team captain and former bearer of the No. 2, "Deuce" jersey, Odukoya was impressive in his senior campaign. A multiple-time watch list honoree for the Campbell Trophy, Wuerffel Trophy, and Mackey Award, Odukoya hauled in 13 receptions for 130 yards this season. He scored a touchdown in EMU's game at Bowling Green, Oct. 23, and started each contest for the Eagles this season. This season, Odukoya earned a spot on the All-MAC third team.
Odukoya, who will be in action this weekend at the Hula Bowl, is the first EMU student-athlete to play in the event since 1997.
Players taking part in the program:
| Player | Position | Height | Weight | Country | Current Team |
| Leonel Misangumukini | DL | 6'3 | 258 | Austria | Vienna Vikings |
| Leandro Santos da Fonseca | OL | 6'5 | 270 | Brazil | Remo Lions |
| Souleymane Karamoko | DB | 6'1 | 195 | France | Université Laval |
| Marcel Dabo | DB | 6'0 | 208 | Germany | Stuttgart Surge |
| Ralfs Rusins | DL | 6'6 | 325 | Latvia | Liberty University |
| Hector Zepeda Hernandez | OL | 6'4 | 285 | Mexico | Tecnológico de Monterrey |
| Kehinde Hassan Oginni | TE | 6'5 | 215 | Nigeria | The Uprise |
| Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka | OL | 6'7 | 309 | Nigeria | The Uprise |
| Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi | OL | 6'6 | 298 | Nigeria | The Uprise |
| Thomas Odukoya | TE | 6'6 | 260 | Netherlands | Eastern Michigan University |
| Adedayo Odeleye | DL | 6'5 | 272 | UK | Berlin Thunder |
| Ayo Oyelola | LB | 5'11 | 217 | UK | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Bamidele Olaseni | OL | 6'7 | 330 | UK | University of Utah |
Players Mentioned
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