The National Football League has made a habit of exploring Oceania for talented young athletes over the past few years.

Jordan Mailata’s Super Bowl success with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year was proof that the region is capable of producing NFL superstars.

New Zealand’s Nikau Hepi is among the next generation of players bidding to follow in Mailata’s footsteps. His towering frame and athletic prowess make him a perfect fit for the NFL.

If he continues developing at his current pace, you would not bet against him making it to the NFL. If he does, the team he signs for would become a popular pick with bettors in New Zealand.

Mailata’s involvement with the Eagles triggered a wave of activity on the sportsbooks featured on comparison site https://www.bettingtop10.co.nz/ in recent seasons.

Hepi would generate even more wagering activity on NFL games in New Zealand if maintains the rate of development he has already shown.

Hepi’s Journey from Rugby Union to Auburn University

The New Zealander was previously considered a promising rugby union player. Less than a year down the line, he has pledged his future to Auburn University in college football.

Hepi has joined a major organisation in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which is widely considered the most competitive conference at that level.

The NFL Academy Asia-Pacific in Australia’s Gold Coast played a massive role in his development. The development scheme only started in April 2024, so it is still relatively new. However, it has wasted no time making an impact, and Hepi is its first major success story.

Hepi is following a similar pathway taken by NFL star Mailata. He had never previously played a single minute of American football before he was drafted by the Eagles in 2018.

It is no coincidence that Hepi trains in jersey number 68 – the same as Mailata. The Eagles’ left tackle was a hero to many young athletes across Oceania, even before becoming a Super Bowl champion.

A solid Infrastructure for International Talent

Hepi is the product of the NFL Academy Asia-Pacific that is connecting Oceania to American Football in a more structured and supportive way than was previously the case.

The academy is led by Will Bryce and is set up to identify raw talent even if they have no prior experience of the sport.

Bryce no longer needs to scour YouTube for highlight tapes or make Zoom calls at odd hours to spot the next rising star coming out of Australia or New Zealand.

The academy has expanded the tryouts to include individuals from all sports. All they need to get a chance is athleticism, grit and an open mind. The philosophy has been successful. Mailata is the headline act, but he is not the only one to come through the process.

Daniel Faalele (Baltimore Ravens), Laekin Vakalahi (Eagles) and Luke-Felix Fualalo (Seattle Seahawk) have come through this talent pipeline. The system is still young, but it is now a proven pathway.

Hepi has all the tools to be the next big thing

Hepi has the kind of physical profile that immediately grabs the attention of NFL scouts. But what makes him stand out is his ability to learn and adapt quickly.

He has been in football pads for less than a year but already understands the technical demands of playing offensive line, which is a very demanding position.

It requires a mix of brute strength, precise footwork, spatial awareness and mental toughness. Rugby has already given him balance, body control and taught him how to react under pressure.

Academy coaches have played a huge role in Hepi’s development. He has the multi-sport foundation that development experts such as Bryce are now looking for.

If Hepi continues his rapid development at Auburn, he will be able to compete at the highest level of college football, which will put him on the radar of NFL scouts.

Given that the NFL has made it a habit of exploring the Australian and New Zealand markets for the next gem, he has every chance of progressing to the top level.