Washington has extended a football scholarship to Tarquin Schwalger, a 16‑year‑old from New Zealand who has never before taken the field. The offer comes after the youngster impressed scouts with a rare combination of size, athleticism and multi‑sport pedigree.
A multi‑sport phenom
Standing 6‑foot‑6 and weighing 260 pounds, Schwalger boasts arms nearly 36 inches long and a wingspan of 83 inches. Those measurements, coupled with his experience in basketball, swimming and volleyball at the national level, caught the eye of the NFL Academy Asia‑Pacific, which brought him to IMG Academy in Florida for his first full‑contact padded practices.
The recruitment tour, staged by the NFL Academy in Queensland, Australia, highlighted prospects for U.S. colleges, and Schwalger’s performance earned him offers from Cal, Boston College, North Carolina, Syracuse, UCLA, Auburn, Louisville and Florida State in addition to Washington. He has said his favorite player is San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, a model for his own game.
Washington’s head coach Jedd Fisch shares a professional connection with Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, a relationship that could influence Schwalger’s development. The story also notes the Eagles’ recent seventh‑round selection of Nigerian defensive tackle Uar Bernard, another player who entered the league without prior football experience.