49ers’ Jarryd Hayne: One of many Australians to play in NFL

The Hopeful

These Aussies still have potential to make a regular season NFL roster. 

Jesse Williams (2013-Present)

Jesse Williams, it could be argued, has already “made it,” as he won a Super Bowl ring (the first indigenous Australian to do so) with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. He did not play a down that season, however, as he was on injured reserve for its duration. A second knee injury kept the defensive lineman out for the 2014 season.

In May of 2015 Williams was diagnosed with Type 2 cancer. Though he underwent kidney surgery to treat this, he is still determined to play in the NFL.

Williams played rugby league and basketball in his youth before taking up American football. If it were not for NCAA academic regulations getting in the way, Jesse Williams would’ve been yet another Aussie to play for Hawaii. Instead he played 2 seasons with Arizona Western before transferring to Alabama, making the All-SEC team his senior season. The Seahawks then took him in the 5th round of the 2013 draft.

Tom Hornsey (2014-Present)

Hornsey played in the Cowboys obliteration by the 49ers on Sunday in the second preseason game of 2015. He is currently in a position battle with incumbent Chris Jones.

Hornsey, like many other Aussies, initially played Australian Rules Football before playing collegiate American football. He punted at Memphis before joining the New York Jets for minicamp in 2014. He signed with the Cowboys after being released shortly thereafter. Though the Cowboys did not keep him in 2014, they brought him back to compete once again for the punting spot. His career still has hope.

Next: There's Still Hope