Too big to play rugby league, Talby Smith takes first steps to the NFL

Talby Smith is just 15-years-old but is already 198cm and heavier than any NRL player – and he’s still growing. Now, the “one of a kind athlete” has his taken first step towards a potential NFL career.

Teen talent Talby Smith (right) has joined the NFL Academy.

He’s the 132kg teenager who is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Aussie Super Bowl champion Jordan Mailata.

Talby Smith, described as a “one of a kind athlete” who will eventually be “too big” to play rugby league, is just 15 years old but is already 198cm and heavier than any NRL player.

And he’s still growing.

Smith has been handed a place in the NFL Academy on the Gold Coast as his first step towards a potential career in American football.

The teenager from Orange in country NSW, who is in the Sydney Roosters under-15s squad, boasts a highlights reel of wrecking ball runs, as he towers over every other player on the field.

Smith, who was turning heads in rugby league circles, has now relocated from Orange to the Gold Coast, where the NFL’s Asia-Pacific academy was launched just over 12 months ago.

He will spend the next three and a half years honing his skills and receiving specialist coaching, before hopefully making a move to America.

Talby Smith is just too big for rugby league.

Pacific Sports Management agent Talon Woodward told this masthead Smith instantly impressed coaches during his academy trial last month, which included combine testing like speed, strength and agility.

“He was playing with Sydney Roosters under-15s development squad, travelling four hours each way to train,” Woodward said.

“But with the way forwards in the NRL have evolved in recent years Talby, who is still only 15, and hasn’t finished growing, is almost too big for rugby league.

Teen talent Talby Smith has joined the NFL Academy

“We quickly realised that there also could be a pathway for him in the NFL too.

“We arranged for him to go to the Gold Coast and do a trial with the NFL Academy last month, and they were very impressed with him, his strength and how big and powerful he is.

“They offered him a full-ride scholarship to go to boarding school at A.B. Peterson College on the Gold Coast.

“Hopefully he continues to progress and he will get accepted into a college in America.”

Already, Smith has attracted attention from rugby union since moving north of the border to join the NFL Academy.

The youngster is expected to keep playing league and union next year, both at schoolboy level and in pathways systems in both codes.

“He’s already had some interest from the Queensland Reds since moving to the Gold Coast, so that could be an option for him in the future too,” Woodward said.

“But he is still young, so the big thing for us and his parents is to keep as many doors open for him as he continues to develop.

“But this NFL opportunity is invaluable and with the coaching and guidance, hopefully he can excel.

Talby Smith, in jersey No.9, towering above his Roosters' development teammates. Picture: Instagram

Smith towers above his teammates.

In February, Philadelphia Eagles star Mailata made history by becoming the first Australian to play in a winning Super Bowl team.

Mailata’s success on the global stage is inspiring the next generation of Aussie talent hoping to crack the NFL.

The Bankstown Bulls junior spent time in South Sydney’s pathways before his size cost him a future in rugby league.

Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata. Picture Ryan Kang

Mailata, who was formerly managed by the same stable looking after Smith, was the first player to be drafted to the NFL through the game’s international player pathway program in 2018.

Now, rising prospects such as Smith have a new avenue through the NFL Academy.

Like Mailata, Smith is being groomed as an offensive line player.

“They will train him as a defensive line and offensive line, he could end up in the offensive line which would be a similar role to what Jordan Mailata plays at the moment,” Woodward said.

Talby Smith at the NFL Academy.

“When he was playing rugby league, he surprisingly would play as a lock. He is a big and powerful athlete and it takes six guys to take him down, but he also has good ball skills as well, he has a good pass on him and good vision.

“In terms of his agility, strength and size, he’s a one of a kind athlete.

“But he’s a gentle giant even though other kids his age can find him intimidating.”