We are so very pleased to confirm that one of our players, Riley Watts, has been officially confirmed as a student at the NFL Academy for this coming academic year.
Riley started with our club back in 2024 and played one tournament season in our U14 Kent Phoenix flag programme before moving up to join our u19 South East Legion kitted team last year. Post-surgery recovery kept him from the field last year, but his work off the pitch never stopped. He returned to the squad bigger and better and has definitely made his presence felt on our offensive line in 2026!
Riley has worked relentlessly to gain himself a place at the NFL Academy and we are all so proud of him.
Riley is the fourth player, all-time, to graduate from our club to the NFL Academy and the first since the re-establishing of the U19 squad after Covid.
The NFL Academy is a prestigious educational opportunity based in Loughborough, UK. A major global initiative by the NFL, the Academy aims to provide full-time high-school education for young people usually in school years 12 and 13 alongside intensive training in American football under the guidance of a world class coaching staff. It is a key pillar in the NFL’s investment in global football development and aims to create pathways for international talent.
The ultimate goal of the Academy is to see students graduate into the US college football system where they can play at the highest levels while furthering their education. From there, the very best talent then have a shot to play in the NFL.
This last year, Seydou Traore, a Tight End who started his footballing career with the London Warriors was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft. Seydou was part of the inaugural class at the NFL Academy in 2019 before moving over to the USA, earning a scholarship with Arkansas State University in 2021 before transferring to Mississippi State in 2023.
Good luck Riley! Who knows where the journey might lead. We are cheering you on! You can follow Riley’s journey on Instagram @rjwatt_32.
