Rory Beggan moved himself into prime position to land a 2024 NFL contract with an outstanding performance at Wednesday's 'Pro Day' trials.
Beggan stepped away from the Monaghan football panel ahead of the Allianz League as he set off for the US to attempt to secure a playing contract with one of the NFL's 32 franchises.
Given Beggan's proficiency from a kicking tee, it was only natural that he would be gunning for a kicker spot - and he seems to have edged a step closer to that dream this week with a perfect performance kicking at goal during an NFL trial day.
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Monaghan's Rory Beggan excels on flawless NFL Pro Day
US universities hold what is known as a "Pro Day" to allow NFL scouts to see prospective players in action ahead of the draft of new players into the league. The Pro Days involve activities similar to the annual NFL Combine, which puts players through a rigorous assessment of their skills and physical attributes.
On Wednesday, the University of South Florida held their Pro Day, and Rory Beggan hit a flawless ten goals from ten kicks - each increasing in distance from the last.
Rory Beggan hitting from 60 and going 10 from 10 on his pro day was pretty special.
But it's the beautiful swerve of that football that's truly elite.
A master of the art of kicking, no matter the balls's shapepic.twitter.com/jjNeCWFRyI— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 21, 2024
Beggan's furthest kick was landed from 60 yards - the all-time NFL in-game record is 66 by Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens in 2021.
There was other Irish involvement on the day in Tampa, with Beggan's fellow GAA stars Charlie Smyth (Down) and Mark Jackson (Wicklow) also impressing with their kicks. Smyth kicked nine of his ten kicks at goal, with Jackson landing seven.
Darragh Leader - a former Connacht rugby player - is also part of this year's NFL International Player Pathway, but his participation in these events has been limited by injury in recent weeks.
From the beginning of their stateside expedition, the Irish have impressed, but Rory Beggan has put in standout performances thus far.
The 2018 All-Star winner has been bullish about his chances ever since setting off with the goal of landing in the NFL. Off the back of his performances in Florida this week, his chances of being signed seem all the better.
Rory Beggan’s field goal attempts at his pro day:
25 - ✅
30 - ✅
33 - ✅
33 - ✅
35 - ✅
40 - ✅
45 - ✅
50 - ✅
55 - ✅
60 - ✅
100%. Take a bow. Clinic 👏 @DropkickMangan @NFLIreland— Jason Hayes (@JasonHayesNFL) March 20, 2024
This year is the first year in which NFL teams are obliged to have at least one player from the International Player Pathway Programme on their practice roster. Beggan appears to be adapting to a new form of goal-kicking with ease, and his chances of being signed as a free agent are ever-increasing.
Though players from the Programme can be signed at any time by NFL teams, the 32 franchises will likely await the outcome of next month's Draft to make their free-agent signings. The NFL Draft takes place from April 25-27 in Detroit.
After the success of Dan Whelan at the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 season, hopes are growing by the day that Rory Beggan (and others) may join the Irishman on an NFL roster in 2024.
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