History Made as Kenya’s Joshua Weru Becomes First East African to Join NFL Side Philadelphia Eagles

Kenya has made sporting history after former rugby player Joshua Weru became the first Kenyan and the first East African to sign with an NFL franchise, joining the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent through the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) Programme.

Weru, a former Kenya Simbas 15s international, is set to begin a new chapter in American football in the United States after transitioning from rugby union, where he earned recognition for his physicality and defensive prowess.

The 2026 NFL Draft, held on Saturday, saw teams select college prospects across multiple rounds, but Weru was not among the drafted players. Reports indicate that the Philadelphia Eagles selected eight players during the draft, leaving Weru to enter the pool of undrafted prospects.

Shortly after the draft, Weru was picked up by the Eagles under the International Player Pathway Programme, which is designed to identify and develop elite athletes from outside the United States by integrating them into NFL training environments and professional systems.

“In addition to drafting Uar Bernard, the Eagles are also signing DL Joshua Weru from the International Player Pathway program,” Philadelphia-based reporter Dave Zangaro posted on X.

Weru’s move underscores the growing crossover between rugby and American football, with NFL scouts increasingly targeting rugby athletes due to their tackling ability, endurance, and open-field athleticism. However, the transition requires adaptation, as American football involves complex playbooks, specialised roles, and highly technical positional demands.

Early reports from the United States suggest Weru is likely to be developed as a defensive player, potentially an edge rusher, a role focused on pressuring quarterbacks and disrupting offensive plays from the perimeter.

At this stage, Weru is considered a developmental prospect, with the Eagles expected to invest time in refining his technical skills, game understanding, and adaptation to the pace of the NFL.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya congratulated Weru, describing his achievement as a historic milestone for Kenya and evidence of the country’s growing global sporting influence beyond athletics and rugby.

“Your achievement proves that Kenyan excellence knows no limits. Once again, congratulations,” Mvurya said.