The NFL Academy promises to be the UK's very own college football talent factory
The NFL Academy is the first of its kind: a state-of-the art hub committed to providing an American high school experience beyond the United States.
Launched in 2019, the Academy moved its base to Loughborough in 2022, integrating the programme within a campus atmosphere with the University and College to give aspiring young American football players the incredible opportunity to develop their skills on the field - as well as away from the game. It is a unique, innovative organisation that offers an incredible insight into what is surely the future of international player development before college football and the NFL.
Back in April, the NFL appointed Lamonte Winston, an industry leader in player development with over 37 years of experience working in American football. The move highlighted the NFL’s commitment to truly developing the next generation of elite international athletes, establishing the NFL Academy as the centre of excellence for young student athletes around the world.
Jo Maher, Principal and CEO at Loughborough College, is a key supporter of the NFL Academy. She revealed how the academy landed in Loughborough and the reasoning behind the decision as well as her genuine belief in the development of the student-athletes into multi-faceted beneficiaries.
“The NFL came to us because they were looking for that dual career-athlete environment; education is at the core of American sport, and that was the unique feature that attracted us - we want to ensure that they get a world class education alongside world class sports science support and coaching to go with their character development,” Maher told Mirror Sport. “We want to ensure when our students progress to America, they are equipped to compete with American college athletes.
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“This season, we’re facing three high school teams from the States and looking forward to the competition they bring - but the big thing for us was that education and elite sport is equally valued. Not one without the other. Elite athletes experience a relatively short career, so we want to ensure that they can take part in the ecosystem whether that be in event management, marketing, media, or as a coach or trainer. We’re creating career pathways that are complementary to growing American football globally and diversify the game.”
Maher passionately spoke about how the NFL Academy stars have settled into life in Loughborough, joining 182 athletes currently housed in the halls of residence. She added: “Where these young men live, female triathletes and netballers co-exist with male soccer and rugby players all striving to reach the top of their game. These guys have integrated seamlessly into our campus because this is part of the ecosystem we’ve built, where character development standards are really high.
The NFL Academy focuses on a student-athlete approach, pairing education and sporting endeavour hand in hand“Over 2000 elite athletes a year at the university, so we want these guys to have their own unique identity around American football - and they’re demonstrating excellent team building and etiquette. To get into the NFL, they can’t just be really fast and strong. They must have the whole package, which they do here.”
Perhaps the biggest success story of the NFL Academy came in the form of Emmanuel Okoye. Okoye's discovery came via the league’s expansion into Africa, spearheaded by New York Giants legend Osi Umenyiora. Maher hopes his story can be replicating to become the norm.
“We do talent scouting around the world,” Maher added. “Osi Umenyiora supported us with scouting out in Adrica and creating a mini combine, and then our coaches travel to Germany and do the same. As the programme builds, we visit more strategic European locations. We’ve got 12 countries currently represented in the Academy, with the players discovered via talent scouting around the world, which is why this is the very best that you’ll see across Europe.
“It's a privilege to be a part of; there's something really unique and special about this environment. Emmanuel Okoye came here as a raw athletic prospect, but give him the right nutrition, physiotherapy, strenght and conditioning, psychology - and he goes to Tennessee after eight months. His head coach said recently that he’s the most talented he’s ever seen at the position. I couldn’t be more proud because of our values: education and elite sport are equal here. You don’t see that often in England.”
It’s not just Okoye. Tight end Peter Clarke is at Temple, while linebacker Kofi Taylor-Barrocks committed to Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes revolution. As Maher mentioned, the NFL Academy faces a number of elite American high schools to test themselves against the best, allowing their student-athletes to get a taste of what life in the US will be like while also honing their skills.
Daniel Akinkunmi is next in line. A powerful offensive lineman who studies Trent Williams and Creed Humphrey, he has received 31 Division I offers, including from giants like Clemson, Ole Miss and Oklahoma. When recruiting him, the NFL Academy told him he could be the greatest offensive lineman to come out of Europe - and Akinkunmi, who spurned US high schools to stay close to home, trusted their words and has not looked back.
“It’s amazing. I didn’t expect it. My first year I worked hard, bought in, and a lot of stuff happened - I got eight Division 1 offers and it kept growing from there,” Akinkunmi told Mirror Sport. “When you fall in love with the game of football, it’s all you want to do. I don’t watch Netflix - I’d rather watch film! I just love the game of football and I’m happy I can play at a high level.”
NFL Academy head coach Steve Hagan has more than 38 years’ experience in football, including 11 years in the NFL as assistant coach for the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns (NFL UK)The coaches and officials at the NFL Academy have high hopes for burgeoning stars like Akinkunmi, and the organisation is always looking to continue to push boundaries. Maher envisions a ‘mini St. George’s Park’ on campus where NFL franchises taking part in the International Series could stay and train at, but the future of the student-athletes is what she is truly passionate about.
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She wants the NFL Academy to be a key driver in hitting the ambition of 130 international athletes in the NFL by 2030. But there is one dream that stands above all. “Imagine our athletes coming back to play at Wembley,” Maher said with a glint in her eye and an optimistic smirk across her face. “You can’t beat that. One of my university athletes winning Olympic gold would obviously be incredible, but for me to see one of these chaps down at Spurs or Wembley - that’s the pinnacle.”
You can follow the NFL Academy’s season and receive regular updates @nflacademy across Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. To find further information on NFL Academy, please visit,
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