The Football Sensation Everyone's Talking About—He's Never Stepped on the Field! What’s His Secret?

Neff Giwa, a towering 6-foot-7, 295-pound rugby player from Ireland, is turning heads in the American college football recruiting scene despite never having played a single football game. In just two weeks, he has become one of the hottest prospects in college athletics, thanks to a viral video posted on the platform X that caught the eye of college coaches nationwide.

The University of Miami was the first to extend a scholarship offer to Giwa after head coach Mario Cristobal saw the video. Following Miami's lead, numerous Power 4 conference schools quickly followed suit with offers, creating a whirlwind of interest around the young athlete.

Brandon Collier, who runs Germany-based Premier Prospects International (PPI), was instrumental in bringing Giwa to the attention of American coaches. In his post, Collier boldly predicted that Giwa “will be a 1st round pick one day! Remember this tweet!!!” Over the last decade, Collier has successfully placed around 100 international athletes into major college football programs, many of whom have transitioned from sports like track, soccer, and basketball. Notably, PPI produced eight players who started in the SEC last season.

Collier's interest in Giwa was piqued when he received a tip from a former rugby player in England back in January. Despite being busy with other players navigating the transfer portal, Collier’s curiosity was piqued when the tipster insisted Giwa was a standout. After seeing a photo of the young athlete, Collier exclaimed, “Oh, my gosh! I wanted to fly him to Germany tomorrow.”

Born in Ireland to Nigerian parents, Giwa grew up in Cashel, a town roughly two hours from Dublin. He began playing soccer at the age of four before transitioning to rugby, where he felt a stronger connection. “I started enjoying that a lot more,” Giwa reflected, noting that his rapid growth often left him feeling uncoordinated.

At 14, he also began track and field and basketball, both of which greatly improved his coordination and acceleration. “Looking back,” he said, “I can see how all of that helped me get to this stage.” In January, Giwa flew to Frankfurt to meet Collier, where he measured in at 6-7.5 with an arm length of 37 inches, exceeding the typical measurements for an NFL offensive tackle candidate.

During a rigorous workout, Giwa impressed Collier with his athleticism, timing a 4.88 in the 40-yard dash and achieving a 9-foot-10 broad jump. “He’s so tall, but he actually had good leverage,” Collier noted, also commenting on Giwa’s natural toughness, a trait often scrutinized in European athletes transitioning to American football.

“I think it comes from growing up with two older brothers and playing WWE in the living room,” Giwa explained regarding his physicality. “You either hit or you get hit.” However, mastering the technical aspects of offensive line play has proven challenging. Giwa has dedicated significant time studying YouTube videos of NFL stars, especially focusing on Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers. “In rugby, size generally determines how strong someone can be, but in football, it’s a lot more about explosiveness and power,” he said.

Giwa’s biggest inspiration is Jordan Mailata, the Philadelphia Eagles’ left tackle who transitioned from rugby in Australia to become a Super Bowl champion and an All-Pro. “I watched his story,” said Giwa, relating to Mailata’s struggles and triumphs in the NFL.

In March, Collier brought Giwa and nine other European prospects to the U.S., starting with a visit to Ohio State, followed by stops at Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, and Clemson. The group was also set to visit Ole Miss and Georgia, where Giwa had gained significant interest. Collier brought Giwa’s passport on all visits to verify his age, emphasizing that this young recruit was only 20 years old.

“It’s been crazy, man. A crazy experience,” Giwa remarked, marveling at the rapid shift from anonymity to becoming a sought-after prospect in American football. He explained that his parents, more focused on education, were initially baffled by the recruiting frenzy. “I explained to them that it’s really like the Premier League in England,” he said, illustrating the magnitude of the opportunity.

Collier is unsure where Giwa may land next, but there are strong possibilities with both South Carolina and Tennessee eager to secure a commitment. “If everything works out, I think he could potentially commit to Miami,” Collier speculated, noting the significance of Miami being the first to offer.

As Giwa weighs his options, he remains focused on finding the right fit for his future in football. With his unique background and athletic prowess, Neff Giwa has not only entered the conversation in American college football but has the potential to redefine what it means to be a multi-sport athlete in the U.S.