Two Nigerian talents, Augustine Irek and Benson Jerry, have been listed as part of the top African talents who will play in the NFL Academy 2025/26 showcase.
Four African stars made the team, with Nigeria having the highest, followed by South Africa and The Gambia.
The NFL Academy, an elite player development programme based in Loughborough, United Kingdom, has announced its game schedule for the new season, coinciding with the start of the 2025–26 academic year.
The programme, which brings together some of the world’s most promising young American football players, has welcomed 68 student-athletes from 20 countries – including several standout talents from across Africa.
The team’s season will kick off in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 22nd against The Hun School, New Jersey.
The highlight of the season will come on Oct. 8th, when the NFL Academy returns to the field at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
African Players in the NFL Academy 2025–26 Roster:
The Gambia (1): Aziz Jaye (OL)
Nigeria (2): Augustine Irek (DL), Benson Jerry (OLB)
South Africa (1): Max Louw (OL)
African Alumni in U.S. Division 1 College Football:
Emmanuel Okoye, Nigeria (TE) – University of Tennessee
Pape Abdoulaye Sy, Senegal (OL) – Boston College
Clinton Azubuike, Nigeria (DL) – Vanderbilt University