'I have the speed' - Ulster's Aaron Sexton swapping rugby for NFL

Ulster's Aaron Sexton has made the decision to quit rugby and join the NFL’s 2025 International Player Pathway Program [IPP].

The speedy back has not featured for the province under Richie Murphy this season and will look for a fresh start in the United States in the new year.

The IPP looks to identify global talent, with the aim of providing elite athletes the opportunity to develop their skills in American Football.

Irish athletes such as Monaghan’s Rory Beggan and Wicklow’s Mark Jackson took part in the NFL's International Player Pathway earlier this year, impressing with their kicking abilities at the NFL Combine, alongside former rugby player Darragh Leader and Down’s Charlie Smyth, who was signed to the New Orleans Saints roster.

Sexton, 24, has decided to transfer his skills after showing athletic prowess from a young age. At just 16, he won a national sprint championship, before focussing on rugby, signing his first professional contract at 18.

Originally from Bangor, he was a standout schoolboy sprinter in both the 100m and 200m events. Sexton joined the Ulster academy after just missing out on a medal in the 200m at the 2019 European Under-20 Championships.

Since joining Ulster in 2019, he has represented the Ireland Sevens team, and accumulated ten senior appearances by the start of the 2024/25 season.

Sexton will go in a different pathway to that of kickers like Smyth, working out as a wide receiver/returner.

Speaking exclusively with RTÉ Sport, Sexton is clear on his one clear skill - his speed.

He said: "Around four or five years ago now, when I was still sprinting and seeing DK Metcalf (Seahawks wide receiver) race. I was at the US trials, where he was racing sprinters.

"He ran 10.34 and I was running 10.43, so I