Charlie Smyth, the former GAA goalkeeper, is set to train with the New Orleans Saints this Thursday, as reported by Pro Football Ireland and The Athletic. At the age of 22, Smyth is one among four Irish athletes set on clinching NFL contracts as kickers and punters via the International Player Pathway program (IPP).
Previously, Smyth, hailing from Down, participated in the NFL scouting combine with other Irish peers like Wicklow’s Mark Jackson and Monaghan’s Rory Beggan earlier this month. Their skills were further on display last week at a pro day, where they performed in front of scouts at the University of South Florida. Darragh Leader, a previous Connacht rugby player, is also signed up for the programme. However, his recent involvement has been curtailed due to a hip injury.
In the former year, NFL revised its regulations allowing teams to draft an extra player on their practice squad roster if they are a part of the IPP. This change motivated many Irish athletes who excelled in kicking to enrol in the program.
Smyth is thought to be the first among the Irish four to visit an NFL franchise’s facility since their voyage to the States. During the combine in Indianapolis, he made 12 successful kicks out of 16 attempts, marking him the most precise Irish kicker that day.
During last week’s pro day, Smyth successfully made eight of his ten attempted kicks. He will be training with special teams coaches at the Saints’ facility located in Metairie, Louisiana, come Thursday.