Joshua Weru Opens Up on His Journey from Rugby to Historic American Football Dream

Joshua Weru's journey from rugby to the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program has become a blueprint for the future of Kenyan athletes.

As the first Kenyan to enter the IPP, Joshua Weru is aware that he is not only competing for a roster spot but also proving that the pathway from East Africa to the biggest stage in American sports is possible.

In an exclusive interview, Joshua Weru opened up about the rigorous mental and physical demands of American football, the weight of representing a nation, and shared his message to the next generation of African talent.

Joshua Weru encouraged young Kenyan athletes to remain disciplined and consistent in their training, stressing that sustained effort over time is what ultimately leads to success at the highest level.

He explained that long-term dedication to training gradually builds athletic ability, even when immediate results are not visible, and that continuous effort eventually prepares athletes to make the most of opportunities when they arise.

Weru also highlighted the importance of training with purpose, noting that progress is maximised when athletes clearly understand what each session is meant to achieve rather than simply going through routines without direction or focus.

“Firstly, I’d say work hard. You can’t cheat working hard, and you can’t beat working hard. At least for me, the way I think about it is that if you work hard for long enough, it compounds like compounding interest,” he shared.

“The other thing I’d say is that while many people work hard, you also have to be very intentional about how you work. There was a long time when I was in the gym or running and I wasn’t being intentional about what I was trying to get out of it I was just doing it because I knew that’s what you’re supposed to do to get stronger or faster.”

The Kenya Simbas star further advised young athletes to study the standards set by players already competing in the NFL, using them as benchmarks to guide their own development and performance goals.

He noted that aspiring professionals can use available performance data and physical metrics from elite competitions to understand what is required at the highest level, then structure their training around closing that gap and improving beyond it.

Weru added that this approach of targeted comparison and continuous self-improvement helps athletes build the speed, strength and overall athletic profile needed to compete successfully at the top level.

“But when it comes to the NFL, you can look at the players in the position you want to play, see the athletic standard they’ve set, and work however long it takes to reach that standard or even surpass it. So, I’d say be very intentional in how you train,” he added.

“Look up the players or the position you want to play, find the standard, and use that as something to compete with. You can get online and see how they’ve performed in combine drills or find other information about their athleticism, and then push yourself to get faster, bigger and stronger than them. That will only help you.”

At the same time, Joshua Weru also reflected on his sporting journey, explaining that he began his career in rugby, where he even represented Kenya at a young age and later explored professional opportunities abroad, though those early ambitions did not materialise as expected.

He said that while continuing to train and consider his next steps, he gradually developed a strong interest in American football, which eventually became his main focus and motivated him to relocate to the United States to further his education and athletic development.

Weru added that although his initial attempts to break into college football were not immediately successful, a series of trials and evaluations through the International Player Pathway programme eventually opened the door for him to continue progressing, as his consistent preparation and perseverance helped him seize the opportunity.

"For me, it means a lot because, as you know, there’s no other Kenyan who has been in the IPP program. I’m the first one, so I take that responsibility seriously firstly for myself and my family, and to try and make the most of this opportunity I’ve been given,” he added.

“But even more than that, I know I’m representing Kenya. I know that if I perform well, there can be pathways that open for young athletes in Kenya. As you said, there haven’t been many Kenyans in this space. I think there’s only been one other Kenyan-born rugby player in the NFL.”

Joshua Weru pointed out that training in the United States has significantly challenged and elevated his understanding of high-performance sport, noting that exposure to advanced training systems, nutrition, and professional standards has pushed him to raise his own expectations.

He explained that working alongside other elite athletes, including college football players, has given him a clearer sense of the level required to compete at the top, while also helping him appreciate the intensity and discipline demanded in American football environments.

Joshua Weru added that the overall experience within the International Player Pathway programme has led to noticeable personal and collective improvement, with progress achieved in a relatively short period exceeding his initial expectations.

“I think the biggest challenge has been being focused every day. That might not sound like the biggest challenge, but we’re not only doing physical work. For me, the physical side hasn’t been the biggest challenge because I’m used to working very hard from rugby and being pushed physically,” he added.

“The bigger challenge has been learning a new game. At least when I started, it felt like learning a new language how quickly you have to process everything they’re telling you, how accurate you have to be in the language you use, in how you draw up plays and all of that. That has probably been the biggest challenge, but we’ve had a very good group supporting us as we learn all these things.”

Joshua Weru also credited his strong family support system for playing a key role in his development, highlighting the encouragement he received from his mother throughout his rugby career and transition into American football.

He explained that despite periods of uncertainty in his journey, his family remained consistently positive and supportive, helping him stay focused and motivated even when his career path was not clearly defined.

Weru added that both his immediate and extended family continued to show unwavering belief in his potential, which he said helped him maintain confidence and resilience throughout his sporting journey.

“My support system has been very strong. I obviously must talk about my mum. She has supported me throughout this whole journey when I was playing rugby, and even when I was at home training without clear opportunities in front of me. I understand how stressful that must have been for her, seeing her son training while things didn’t seem to have a very clear direction,” he revealed.

“But she never spoke negatively about any of it. She always supported me and was almost even more supportive of me than I was of myself at times when I wanted to be negative. She helped keep my head positive. So, I must give a shoutout to my mum and my whole family.”

Meanwhile, Joshua attended high school in the United Kingdom, where he played rugby throughout his studies, eventually earning a call-up to the Kenya national rugby team, the Kenya Simbas, in 2021.

He went on to gain experience at the top level in the UK and later joined a French rugby sevens development programme in 2023.

In January 2024, Weru began exploring opportunities in other professional sports, shifting his focus to American football training during the summer of the same year.

Joshua Weru subsequently enrolled at Arizona State University and linked up with American football personnel early in 2025. He is currently involved in intramural flag football at ASU and also completed a four-week training stint at EXOS in August 2025.