Jordan Mailata grew up enjoying rugby league and had reached the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Beneath-20s, however there have been continued considerations over his conditioning.
That is when he acquired absolutely the most effective recommendation he is ever had: “Why don’t you play a sport that appreciates your measurement?” At 6ft 8in and 365lb (166kg), that sport was American soccer.
“His agility and pace for an individual of his measurement, who hadn’t grown into his full body but, it was so spectacular,” says Scotland-Williamson, who was on the IPP programme with Mailata in 2018.
Aged 20, the Australian was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and though he spent two seasons on their observe squad, he then grew to become one of many NFL’s greatest offensive tackles and helped the Eagles attain the Tremendous Bowl in 2023.
Travis Clayton became the second IPP player to be drafted and Scotland-Williamson – a groomsman at Mailata’s wedding ceremony final 12 months – reckons that bodes effectively for the 6ft 7in offensive lineman who weighs 301lbs (137kg).
“With the larger physique sorts within the trenches, you’ve received extra probability of creating a late transition [to the NFL] as a result of you possibly can’t actually develop athletes that massive, they usually’re exhausting to search out,” he says.
“Additionally, being drafted means extra. Folks need to see their determination proved proper as a result of they’ve invested draft capital in you; they’ve caught their neck out, so that you’ll get extra persistence.”