Eagles draft Jordan Mailata-style athletic wonder from International Player Pathway
ClutchPoints
Last updated: April 26, 2026
The Philadelphia Eagles have again utilized the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program to acquire talent, selecting Nigerian defensive tackle Uche Bernard in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. This marks the second consecutive year the Eagles have drafted an IPP player, following the selection of Olamide Zaccheaus in 2019. The IPP program aims to identify and develop international athletes for NFL careers.
- Key Facts: The Eagles selected Uche Bernard, a Nigerian defensive tackle, with the 251st overall pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
- This selection continues the Eagles' practice of leveraging the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program.
- Last year, the Eagles drafted Olamide Zaccheaus from the IPP program.
- Bernard is the latest player to join the NFL through the IPP, which seeks to expand the league's global reach by scouting and training international talent.
- The IPP program provides a structured development path for athletes who may not have traditional American football backgrounds.
- Bernard's addition to the Eagles' roster suggests the team is committed to exploring unconventional talent pools.
- The success of IPP players in the league is a key factor driving team interest in the program.
