Charlie Smyth’s NFL dream boosted as he’s invited to work out at the New Orleans Saints

Charlie Smyth pictured at the NFL Combine. Pic: Pro Football Ireland / Leader Kicking

Smyth will showcase his skills to the Saints on Thursday, per Pro Football Ireland.

It has been an incredible journey so far for the former Down U20 Ulster title winning goalkeeper, since he was accepted onto the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) Pr

ogramme in January, to try and earn a professional American football contract as a kicker.

Charlie Smyth in action at the NFL Combine. Pics: Pro Football Ireland / Leader Kicking

Smyth – alongside fellow Irishmen Rory Beggan, Mark Jackson and Darragh Leader – trained in Florida for three weeks ahead of the NFL Combine, where he showed what he can do in front of scouts for all 32 teams, nailing 12 of his 16 kicks in an impressive showing.

The performances of Smyth and the fellow NFL hopefuls certainly got some attention, as the Irish players were signed to NFL agency Pro Star Sports.

Whilst this is just a work out and no contract is signed yet, it is a move which greatly increases Smyth’s chances at achieving his dream.

Henry Hodgson, the General Manager for NFL UK offered his prediction on Twitter: ‘Charlie is going to kick in the NFL… it’s just a matter of where’.