MUNRO, St Elizabeth — Former Munro College football (gridiron) representative Sheldon Clarke recently became the first Jamaican to be selected as part of the National Football League’s International Player Pathway (NFL-IPP) Combine to be held in the United Kingdom, scheduled for October 10-12, the Jamaica Observer has learnt.

The 21-year-old, who has been an assistant coach for the Munro College team, was selected following an evaluation held in Kingston on August 14 at the Mona Hockey Field, the first time an event of this kind was being held in Jamaica, outperforming a “field of elite local athletes, demonstrating the skills and potential that the NFL-IPP program seeks in international talent,” a release said.

The Burnt Savannah resident was chosen from a list of five that had been identified by Mark Dulgerian, head scout of the NFL-IPP programme, including Tyrece Thompson and Basil Wilson of Munro College, Jordane Brooks of May Day High School, and Kingston College’s shot putter Anthony Symile.

Jerome Harriott, CEO of National Tackle Football Association (NTFA) of Jamaica, was happy with Clarke’s achievement, saying, “We want to applaud and congratulate Sheldon for all his hard work and perseverance over the years, this selection is not just a personal triumph for Sheldon but a beacon of hope for every young athlete in Jamaica who dreams of playing at the highest level of American football.”

At the combine, which will be held at one of several facilities in England, including at English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspurs’s facility in North London, Clarke, according to Harriott, “will undergo rigorous physical tests, skill evaluations, and interviews with NFL personnel. This high-stakes event will pit Clarke against other international prospects, all vying for a coveted spot in the NFL-IPP development programme.”

According to a release from NTFA, Dulgerian was impressed with Clarke, saying, “Sheldon exemplifies the type of talent and dedication we look for in the IPP program. His performance during our evaluation in Jamaica was impressive, and we’re excited to see how he measures up against other international prospects at the Combine.”

Harriott also said that with the combine still a few weeks away, Clarke faces an intense period of preparation.

“The young athlete will need to hone his physical skills, mental toughness, and football IQ to impress NFL scouts and coaches,” said Harriott.