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NFL International Player Pathway spotlight: Patrick Murtagh, TE, Australia

Alex Malchow

The NFL has seen several Aussie Football Rule converts, however, most of them have been punters. The newest non-punter talent hoping to crack into the NFL is a big, athletic, promising talent in former AFL and track athlete Patrick Murtagh.

Murtagh takes aim at the NFL through the NFL International Player Pathway Program as he was one of the 11 players from around the world selected to compete for their spots on a NFL squad.

Instituted in 2017, the NFL International Player Pathway program aims to give elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.

So far, the program has helped players such as Jordan Mailata (Philadelphia Eagles/Australia), Sammis Reyes (Chicago Bears/Chile), and Jakob Johnson (New England Patriots/Germany) earn roster spots in the NFL.

The 6 ‘5″, 220 pound Murtagh has been an Aussie Rules player last three years playing for the Gold Coast Suns developmental team. The 22-year-old slender athlete is a Gold Coast Suns Academy graduate who first impressed the AFL coaches by being one of the team’s best athletes at the 2019 State combine. There, Murtaugh jumped one of the best vertical leaps.

Picture Glenn Hampson Source: News Corp Australia

Murtagh is a raw athlete with a strong track background competing in the triple jump, high jump, and several other events. He also won the state decathlon championship.

The former track star was a late addition to the NFL International Combine in London, England in October, but managed to impress scouts with his length, build, and explosive jumping ability. He also punted the ball extremely well for scouts following the position drills.

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