The 2025 NFL Draft is over, but the teams are continuing to find talent ahead of the new season. Over the next couple of days, franchises will sign undrafted free agents and agree to bring in players to try out in the rookie minicamp with the hopes of making the training camp roster.
The road to making it out of the 90-man squad to the final 53-man roster is a challenging one, but there are players every year who come out of nowhere and make an impact on their teams.
This has opened up different pathways for players to get a chance in the NFL. One of those is the International Pathways Program. NFL teams have brought in talented athletes through the program to see whether they can become difference makers in the league.
The Eagles' starting left tackle, Jordan Mailata, is the most notable player that comes to mind. The former rugby player from Australia came to the NFL with the IPP program and turned himself into one of the best offensive linemen in the league.
The Detroit Lions are following in the footsteps. Mike Payton of the A to Z Sports reported on Sunday that the Lions are inviting former rugby player Laki Tasi to their rookie minicamp.
Per source, the Lions will be inviting former Australian rugby player Laki Tasi to their rookie mini-camp
— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) April 27, 2025
Tasi is part of the International Pathways Program. We’ve got more info on him including what position he’ll play below. https://t.co/3rzAa2I8pE
Lions Invite Former Rugby Player Laki Tasi to Rookie Minicamp
The Lions will reportedly try Tasi at defensive tackle. Measuring at six-foot-six and 347 pounds and 34.5-inch long arms, Tasi obviously has the physical tools to be a defensive lineman. He has been training at the IMG Academy in Florida to learn the ins and outs of the position before joining the Lions for his tryout.
This comes a year after the Lions took a chance on Tongan offensive lineman Giovanni Manu in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After impressing during his collegiate career in Canada, Manu continued to show flashes as a rookie in Detroit last season. The Lions' top brass is hoping to find another hidden gem in Tasi. Whether that will be the case remains to be seen.