Manchester-born Menelik Watson has been selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Lawrence Okoye remained undrafted but later announced that he had signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent.
Olympic discus thrower Lawrence Okoye has never played American Football before, but is remarkably among three Britons who could turn professional by joining an NFL team.
The Londoner, who finished 12th in the men's discus final at London 2012, has reinvented himself over the past year as a potential pick for a team in the National Football League Draft, which is now underway.
The annual selection process in New York sees the 32 NFL teams take it in turns to select the new wave of non-professional players in a series of rounds.
At 6ft 6in and 21-stone, Okoye recently impressed scouts at tryouts in Texas who believe he could adapt his strength, speed and core discus skills to enjoy a career in their sport.
Menelik Watson, who has emerged as an unlikely new British star in American football, will embark on his professional career in Oakland.
As a record number of Brits enter the NFL draft, we take a look at the British players who have succeeded stateside over the years.
Discus thrower Lawrence Okoye has never played American football before, but is among three Brits who could turn pro by joining an NFL team.