RWU HQ – It seems like San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne has started a trend.
In a recent interview with foxsports.com.au, West Tigers prop Martin Taupau expressed his interest in possibly following in Hayne’s footsteps and trying to make a NFL squad.
“I’m massive on the NFL,” Taupau said in the interview. “I’d love to go over there and try out for the NFL combine.
“I love the way they train. The footwork, they are very explosive and that’s my game. I’m a very explosive player and that’s the training they do.”
The 25-year-old prop just happens to be the prototypical size for NFL linebacker, weighing in at 247 pounds and measuring at 6-foot-2. With a good height and weight, Taupau could play both the middle or outside linebacker position.
And according to Fox Sports, Taupau is “considered to be the strongest player in the NRL with the Kiwi international able to deadlift over (600 pounds) and power-cleans (309 pounds).” So that bodes well for the future dual-sport athlete.
With Taupau’s contract with the West Tigers ending in 2016, it’ll be interesting to see if the lifelong Pittsburgh 
Steelers fan makes to the jump NFL. And if his lifting numbers are true, it’s certainly worth a shot.
NFL front offices are looking for the diamonds in the rough everyday.
“I would love to go to the NFL but it’s very hard as you know,” Taupau said. “You look at Jarryd Hayne going over there — he’s got no background (in the sport) and I’d love to go to the NFL and see what I could achieve.”
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