Cronulla star Valentine Holmes set to quit NRL to pursue NFL dream
Valentine Holmes has told the Cronulla Sharks that he intends to follow Jarryd Hayne’s old flight path by pursuing a career in the NFL.
Valentine Holmes has told the Cronulla Sharks that he intends to follow Jarryd Hayne’s old flight path by pursuing a career in the NFL.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Australian and Queensland Origin representative recently checked out a major NFL franchise during a visit to Nike’s head office in the United States.
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He is under contract to the Sharks for next season and was expected to sign with the North Queensland Cowboys from 2020 onwards to be closer to his family.
This is why the move to the United States is such a shock.
The Daily Telegraph understands he wants to move immediately.
In 2016 he trialled in front of NFL agents with Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo. At the time, his manager Chris Orr claimed four NFL clubs had expressed an interest in the pair, before Taumalolo re-signed with the Cowboys and Holmes at the Sharks.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan says he is unaware of any move.
Holmes only returned home to Sydney on Monday from his overseas break.
The fullback is expected to meet with Sharks chief executive Barry Russell on Wednesday to sort out his future.
The Cronulla star reportedly notched 4.6 seconds for the 40 yard dash, comparable to the likes of Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Tampa Bay star Mike Evans.
Holmes had been expected to link up with North Queensland in 2020. In 2017 he revealed were it not for Ben Barba’s drugs ban he may have headed to the NFL at the end of 2016.
“Sharks CEO Barry Russell will meet with Valentine Holmes and his management representatives in the coming days to discuss reports of his potential move to the USA and the NFL,” Cronulla said on Monday in a statement.
“The Sharks are not in a position to make any further comment at this time but will provide more details once they become available.”
Holmes has become one of the NRL’s most-exciting talents, scoring 22 tries in 26 games last year for Cronulla to be named the club’s player of the season.
He has also scored 17 tries in 13 Tests for Australia, including a record 11 inside just two games at last year’s World Cup.
The Holmes report comes after Hayne’s departure from Parramatta mid-contract at the end of 2014 to try his hand at American football.
He signed five months later with the San Fransisco 49ers, and played eight games as a running back and kick returner before coming back to the NRL via Fiji’s rugby sevens team.
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