About one year ago, Nigerian athletes Isaac Ajanah and Sam Orji embarked on an unforgettable football journey that has taken them around the world.
Ajanah and Orji are both young talented athletes with backgrounds in basketball and soccer. They soon found American football through a group called Educational Basketball in the capital city of Lagos. The training group has produced several dozen college basketball players, as well as NFL players Jason Godrick (Kansas City Chiefs), David Agoha (Las Vegas Raiders), and Kenneth Odumegwu (Seattle Seahawks).
Joining the NFL IPP
Both Ajanah and Orji started training for American football and showed their talents at the NFL Africa combine, eventually earning invites to the NFL IPP training program this past spring at IMG Academy in Florida.
Unfortunately, neither Orji or Ajanah were picked up by a NFL team following a pro-day and a 8-week training program with several ex-NFL coaches. Many scouts liked their impressive size and athleticism but were wary of giving them an opportunity, since they had never actually played an organized game of American football before.
Signing with the ELF
After a few months of uncertainty, the two NFL prospects finally got their chance to play their very first football game, as they were signed by the Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary) of the ELF. For defensive end Isaac Ajanah, finally getting the chance to actually put on pads and get on the field after months of hard work was a truly rewarding experience.
“It’s been an amazing experience honestly, getting the feel for the game and witnessing the speed and physicality of the league. It was a ‘wow’ moment for me. From that day I was like yeah I definitely want to feel this again.”
For offensive lineman Samuel Orji getting reps on the field was invaluable after training for nearly two years in Lagos for a chance to play American football.
“It’s been huge for us to join the Enthroners, a team where we could go and learn and develop.”
“The ELF is a significant stepping stone”
The young defensive end finished the season with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss in limited playing time for the Enthroners. Ajanah knows that the ELF is a tool for him to get another chance at the NFL in the future.
“Overall, the ELF is a significant stepping stone that provides the necessary visibility, experience, and development opportunities to help me achieve my goal of making it to the NFL. Playing in the ELF allows me to gain experience in different playing styles and strategies, which broadens my understanding of the game and improves my adaptability.”
Off the field, the experience in Europe has been eye-opening for the two African players:
“Life in Hungary off the field has been a wonderful experience. The country is rich in history and culture, offering endless opportunities to explore and learn. Living in Hungary has also given me the chance to travel and see more of Europe. Weekend trips to nearby countries have become a regular adventure, broadening my horizons and giving me a deeper appreciation for different cultures.” – Isaac Ajanah
The high quality film versus several ex-DI and even NFL athletes in the European League of Football was exactly what these talented players needed as they hope to continue to chase their NFL dreams once again in 2025.
“I am hoping that I get another chance at the NFL IPP, but at this moment I’m focusing on controlling what I can.” – Samuel Orji
Read the full article here. Reposted with permission from author.