International Player Pathway Program & Alex Jenkins Interview
- Apr 21, 2018
- 4 min read
On May 25th, 2017 the NFL announced that all four teams of the NFC South had each signed an International player from Europe to their practice squad. The lucky four were Alex Jenkins UK, Alex Grey UK, Efe Obada UK and Eric Nzeocha from Germany.
The creation of the scheme certainly shone a light on the NFL’s commitment to expanding the game beyond the US, and what better way to do that than to give overseas players the Opportunity to realize their dreams by landing a spot on an NFL roster (albeit the Practice Squad for year 1).
Before we take a closer look at the International Player Pathway Program, here is what Mark Waller, NFL Executive Vice President of International had to say “This is an important part of the league’s overall strategy to grow internationally. We are building this pathway program in order to provide international athletes with the opportunity to play in the league, which will increase the pool of talent, develop heroes who can inspire others and drive fan growth”
What is the International Player Pathway Program?
The IPPP essentially offers a free pass to teams to sign an extra practice squad member. There is one criteria that must be met, that player has to be from outside the US. During their first year, the IPPP player cannot be cut, this allows them a full season to adjust to NFL Football on a professional level. On the flip side to this, within that first year, they also cannot be promoted to the active roster.
The game of NFL Football at a professional level, is much much quicker than most international players are used to. The premise that each player gets the chance to be with an NFL team and witness everything from the running of the team, the meetings, the long tiring days, the travel and the general level of play without the possibility of being cut, is a fantastic idea and one that will serve the players with a head start in their NFL career. For example, Alex Grey who was placed with the Atlanta Falcons did an interview with Neil Reynolds on the Inside the Huddle podcast. He gave us an insight into life with an NFL team, he told Neil that with the Falcons, even the practice squad gets to travel with the team to all games. Getting use to that amount of travel will in itself be a learning curve.
To tell us a little bit more about the IPPP, we spoke to Alex Jenkins who became one of the first British Football players to benefit from this program.
Who is Alex Jenkins?
Here is what you need to know about Alex.
Place of Birth: Bath, United Kingdom
DOB: 15/1/1993
Age: 25
College: Incarnate Word (Tex.)
Height: 6’6
Weight: 270lbs
Position: Defensive End #74 New Orleans Saints
Alex played in England at the Bath City Academy and for the Bristol Aztecs, this earnt him a spot on the Great Britain youth team. Alex’s big break came when he was invited to participate in an all-star High School camp in Virginia. On the back of his performance there, he earned a scholarship to play Football at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
During his time at the University of the Incarnate Word, Alex started three years as a Defensive End posting 3.5 sacks in his senior year.
During our chat with Alex, we asked him about his pre-season performance as he notably got a sack on starting QB, DeShone Kizer against the Cleveland Browns. Which you can see by clicking play.
Interview
Q. Do you recall the first time you put on pads and played Football?
A. Early 2012 in my Great British Lions trial, I played Running Back.
Q. Is there a lot of love for Football down in the South West of England?
A. I would say a fair amount in the Bristol area.
Q. Did you follow the NFL as a youngster, if so which team?
A. No, I never watched it until I started playing it in 2012.
Q. If you were scouting yourself, what would say are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
A. Athleticism, power, agility and no weakness.
Q. Who in your career so far, has taught you the most about the game?
A. Aden Durde prepared me for the pros.
Q. The Saints defense was much improved last season, what do you attribute that to?
A. Great rookie class, tough camp and great coaching.
Q. The Saints have been tipped to draft a Quarterback this year as an eventual successor to Drew Brees. From what you’ve seen, who would be your preferred QB of the prospects available?
A. I haven’t looked into it really.
Q. What are your goals for this year?
A. 1st, start on Special Teams.
Q. Tell us a little about the program at Bristol college and how that prepared you for the transition to the NFL?
A. High School like program with training and academics. It helped me somewhat prepare for College.
Q. Looking back at your pre-season performance last year, that sack on Kizer, how did that feel and what was the reaction from your teammates?
A. Amazing feeling, surreal but clarification I can play at a high level.
Q. What importance is the International Player Pathway Program playing in engaging players from the UK and around the world in pursuing the game as a viable career option?
A. Pathway program is an invaluable resource to showcase international players. But the players have to live up to standard each year for it to be taken seriously.
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