Broncos battle tank Dave Taylor is at the top of a secret hitlist drawn up by American NFL scouts as hunger grows in the States for the services of Australian-bred rugby league stars.
The explosive 21-year-old prop, who has been terrorising NRL defences by masquerading as a 115kg, 185cm centre in his past few outings, is heading to South Sydney next season but could stand to make millions if he took a gamble amid the megabucks of the NFL.
A number of former AFL players, including Darren Bennett, Ben Graham and Sav Rocca, have had successful careers as punters in the NFL but Paul Shepherd, from Australian-based talent agency OzPunt, insists there is a real and growing demand from America to tap into the athleticism and toughness of league players in all positions, not just in kicking roles.
Shepherd's biggest hurdle is convincing player agents and the local talent there is a genuine thirst for their services, which would require players to make their way to October training camps in search of contracts in one of the world's most lucrative professional sporting leagues.
"There is massive interest from the NFL in guys from rugby league or rugby union. And not just kickers - on-field players. This is breaking some seriously new ground," Shepherd said.
"For punters, of course they want to see our boys. But this idea of putting our players in as tight end defensive players and linebackers is breaking new ground.
"I talk to these clubs on a daily basis. It's absolutely serious. They are telling me to send them over and at the very least they'll get a training contract. For 12 months, they'll pay you a couple of hundred grand just to train and learn the game. It's massive. They are deadly serious."
Shepherd wouldn't divulge the names of other players on the shortlist but powerhouse wingers Israel Folau and Manu Vatuvei are also known to have appeal for the Americans.
Taylor, nicknamed the "Coaltrain", was this year signed by the Rabbitohs for three more years in league but would be a natural in the NFL, said Shepherd, who has received interest from, among others, the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants.
"He can run and bust the line. He's got speed off the mark and he could tuck the ball under his arm and away he goes. He'd be a sensation," Shepherd said.
The minimum wage in the NFL is $A430,000, close to the top tier players can earn in the NRL.
Meanwhile, younger players could earn as much as $A240,000 on a year-long training contact that would involve an intense skill and gym program to add bulk and learn the game.
Timing and logistical hurdles have curtailed Shepherd's ability to convince potential candidates of the opportunities on the other side of the Pacific but he said inflexible players agents were the biggest stumbling block to spreading the word.
"The hardest part of getting to these guys is having to go through their managers, which is another issue," Shepherd said.
"They can make life hard for us. They tend to get a bit silly and demand too much to start off with. The biggest problem we have is trying to get the word out to these guys."
NRL players could only trial in October, by which stage the NFL season has begun, while they would be expected to make their own way to trials, partly to demonstrate they were serious about a career in American football.
Leading agent Steve Gillis denied suggestions player managers were "running interference" but said Shepherd would have to prove the NFL was a viable career path before players would consider taking the plunge.
"If he could land a fish or two and show it could be done, people would get more excited. But I don't see how the agents would be running interference. From the client's point of view, it's a win-win for everyone. I can't see why it would be a problem," Gillis said.
"If someone threw a couple of million at a player, they wouldn't have any problems getting them there.
"Someone like Jarryd Hayne, who is on the crest of a wave, is not going to consider it while things are going his way. The cream aren't going to want to go. But he would have to land one or two to show everyone it's the real deal."
Shepherd said the NFL wasn't simply interested in the top-line players. He said fringe NRL players or Under 20 stars could look to the States as a viable alternative if they were unable to crack a regular first-grade spot.
Under 20s players could also earn scholarships at major division one universities if they impressed collegiate coaches.
"We're not worried about your big stars. We're not going to take your cash cows from under your feet. But surely you've got kids who may not quite make it. See this as an option. They're just worried about their big number one," Shepherd said.
"And we also have 715 colleges offering full scholarships for the guys as well. You either get drafted in the NFL or come back a massive unit with a degree under your arm."
Shepherd's next trip to America will be in October. This time, he's hoping word has got around.
