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2026 NFL Draft to Showcase International Player Pathway Stars

4/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 2026 NFL Draft, April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, will feature four International Player Pathway program players: Uar Bernard, Joshua Weru, Seydou Traore, and Kansei Matsuzawa.
They aim to join past IPP success stories.
San Diego State's Chris Johnson recorded four interceptions and posted a 91.6 PFF grade.
North Dakota State's Bryce Lance ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash.
Other notable players include Cole Payton and Gabe Plascencia.

History

Historical Context

Established in 2017, the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program aims to diversify the league by integrating international talent. This initiative followed earlier efforts, such as the NFL International Development Practice Squad Program (2004-2009), which sought to identify players outside the U.S. and Canada. By 2020, over half of NFL teams had signed international players, enhancing the league's global appeal.

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Story summary

The 2026 NFL Draft, April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, will feature four International Player Pathway program players: Uar Bernard, Joshua Weru, Seydou Traore, and Kansei Matsuzawa.
They aim to join past IPP success stories.
San Diego State's Chris Johnson recorded four interceptions and posted a 91.6 PFF grade.
North Dakota State's Bryce Lance ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash.
Other notable players include Cole Payton and Gabe Plascencia.

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