College football recruiting never takes a break, and 2026 is no exception. One of the most intriguing prospects making waves is Neff Giwa, a 6-foot-8, 300-pound 20-year-old rugby standout from the Republic of Ireland—remarkably, he has never played a single down of college football.
Interest in Giwa skyrocketed after a social media video of him circulated, drawing attention from programs like Miami, South Carolina, and Tennessee, according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. The video was posted by Brandon Collier, a former UMass defensive tackle who now runs Germany-based Premier Prospects International (PPI), a program that has helped place over 100 international athletes on U.S. college football rosters.
Giwa recently visited South Carolina and Tennessee, and he currently holds offers from both schools, as well as from Miami, North Carolina, SMU, and James Madison, per 247Sports. Collier praised Giwa’s physicality and toughness, noting that his rugby background gives him a level of competitiveness and grit often unseen in athletes transitioning to football.
South Carolina reportedly hoped Giwa would cancel his Miami visit after extending an official offer, but Giwa was later seen on-site in Coral Gables, drawing attention from Canes head coach Mario Cristobal.
The international rugby-to-football pathway has precedent, most notably Jordan Mailata, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 and became a starter, eventually winning a Super Bowl in 2024.
While it’s too early to predict if Giwa will follow a similar path, the interest from major programs, including Shane Beamer at South Carolina, highlights his potential impact. A verbal commitment from Giwa would be a major coup for the Gamecocks’ 2027 class, which currently has only three members.
