During a conversation with ESPN, 21-year-old Tasi shared that he only recently discovered American football while grabbing a meal at a burger restaurant. The restaurant’s owner pointed him toward the NFL’s International Pathway Program (IPP), the same initiative that helped Philadelphia Eagles star Jordan Mailata, a Super Bowl winner and second-team All-Pro, break into the league.
“At first, I didn’t even know who Jordan Mailata was or what the NFL really meant,” Tasi told ESPN. “But once I searched for Jordan Mailata and the IPP on YouTube, I quickly realized how massive it all is.”
The International Pathway Program, launched in 2016, was created to offer athletes from outside the U.S. and Canada a clearer route into the NFL. While the Detroit Lions have previously had players linked to the IPP, like defensive tackle David Bada and offensive lineman Max Pircher—both of whom initially signed with other teams—Tasi will be the first to join Detroit directly through the program.
Because IPP players don’t count against a team’s standard roster size, the Lions can allow Tasi to develop without needing to make difficult roster decisions. He’s expected to join the Lions’ rookie minicamp next month.
Last month, Tasi took part in the IPP’s pro day. NFL Network’s Scott Pioli noted that Tasi has competed at top levels of rugby in Australia, beginning the sport as a young teenager and later playing both rugby league and rugby union.
At 6-foot-6 and 348 pounds, with 34-inch arms, Tasi boasts ideal physical traits for an interior defensive lineman. Pioli described him as having not only the size but also the ruggedness and mentality required to thrive in the NFL trenches, emphasizing his impressive combination of tools, build, and attitude.
