The NFL verified the 16 members of its 2024 International Player Pathway class.

There are four Irish sportsmen in all: three Gaelic football players (Rory Beggan, goalkeeper with Monaghan; Mark Jackson, goalkeeper for Wicklow; Charlie Smyth, goalkeeper for Down); and one professional rugby player (Darragh Leader, full-back for Connacht).

The athletes will have the chance to show off their skills to NFL team scouts in March following the training camp, which will be held at Florida's IMG Academy.

"I don't want to go over there and live two or three years in the practice roster and not make a good chop at it," Beggan stated on the Pro Football Ireland podcast. My goal is to rank among the world's top 32 kickers. It's the reason I'm coming here. I'd like to be successful. My goal is to excel.

"If I hadn't been going full throttle, I wouldn't have made that choice.

Making that choice was difficult. It was difficult. Every friend you have is at home participating in a community-wide sport. However, you can't just file it away and hope for another opportunity like this one to present itself."

Prior to Christmas, Beggan and Jackson's involvement was noted. Vinny Corey, the manager of Monaghan, stated on Tuesday that Beggan will be available for selection throughout the Allianz Football League's initial rounds.

Last week, Oisín McConville, the manager of Wicklow, told Second Captains that Jackson's chances of signing an NFL deal were "more realistic than people think".

Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit is one of those headed to Florida, as was mentioned this week. Harry Malinder, a former England Under-20 international and Northampton player, and George Smyth, a Coventry second rower, are both mentioned.