Israel national team offensive linesman Yaniv Kovalski (6’3″, 300 lb) will play for the Stonehill College Skyhawks (NCAA Div. II) next season, after earning a scholarship at the Roman Catholic, liberal arts college located in Easton, Massachusetts.
The 22-year-old came through the Israeli youth league sponsored by Robert Kraft, the owner of NFL champions the New England Patriots, and has won two Israel Football League titles with the Judean Rebels.
Kovalski has filed a request to shorten his IDF (military) service so that he will be able to move to the US in June.
“I hope that we will see more Israelis join me,” said Kovalski. “I went through this process without any prior knowledge or mentors who could help me with their experience. I have acquired a lot of knowledge about the process and would be happy to share it with others.”