Mapalo “Maz” Mwansa’s journey to the NFL has been unique, even for a league that continues to expand its international footprint.
The 20-year-old Mwansa grew up in Peterborough, England, and played rugby, soccer, basketball, track and field and cricket in high school. He ended up at Loughborough University to study economics and finance and turned heads when he ran the 100 meters in 10.48 seconds at a “sports day” on campus.
Told American football might be an option, Mwansa “threw myself into the university team” and has worked tirelessly since to improve. Now, after a crash course that included learning from popular Netflix series “Last Chance U” and “Quarterback,” Mwansa hopes to get selected in the NFL draft.
“I would never have thought I would be doing this four or five years ago,” Mwansa told The Associated Press. “Even two years ago, football was not in the picture for me. The journey’s been a complete whistle-stop tour, and I’m trying to soak in as much as I can and just enjoy every bit of the process.
“If you don’t enjoy it, it shows throughout your results. But I love this game, and I will continue to love her and try to better myself each way I can. The journey is crazy when I think about it.”
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker ended up with the Nottingham Caesars and then landed a spot with the national team for the 2024 European championships — all while juggling a full-time job at Baker Tilly International, one of the top accounting firms in the world.
He gained more attention at a Canadian Football League combine in the United Kingdom and landed an invite to the NFL’s International Pathway Program, which provides a 10-week training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and a showcase at USF’s annual pro day in nearby Tampa.
Mwansa will travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to attend the draft and maybe make the walk across the stage.
“We hope to hear some good news,” he said.
He’s hardly alone. Here are other international players hoping for the best in the upcoming draft:
The former Alabama punter is looking to become the latest Australian to earn an NFL roster spot. He averaged 45.37 yards a punt in 2024, which ranked 11th in the nation. But his 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame has him near the top of many specialist rankings heading into the draft.
The former Florida punter is another Australian expected to get drafted and could go before Burnip. The 6-3 Crawshaw never missed a game, averaged a school-record 46.4 yards over four seasons with the Gators and was named a team captain in 2024.
The former Indiana quarterback played most of last season on a torn knee ligament. The 24-year-old Canadian had surgery in January and is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp.
In his sixth college season, Rourke threw for 3,042 yards, with 29 touchdowns and five interceptions, while leading Indiana to the College Football Playoff. He spent the previous five years at Ohio.
The 20-year-old tight end previously played professional basketball in New Zealand and Australia. At 6-5 and 245 pounds, Salmon has NFL size, which makes him an intriguing IPP prospect.
The 21-year-old defensive lineman played at the highest level of rugby in Australia. At 6-6 and 348 pounds — and with 34-inch arms — he has the size and toughness to be a force in the trenches. He also is an IPP member.
The 6-foot-9, 320-pound Fijian is a former rugby player making the transition to offensive line. The 21-year-old Wakeham spent time with Stade France and most recently Eagling Trailfinders. He has made quick strides in the IPP program and should find a home with an NFL franchise.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
FILE - Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine on Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
PARIS (AP) — After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible.
“Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.”
Sabalenka's wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while serving for the match at 5-4. What followed was a complete collapse as she lost 12 of the last 13 games against a player appearing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, looking increasingly frustrated and forlorn in the windy conditions.
Just like her loss to Coco Gauff in last year's final, when she also won the first set before becoming undone with a slew of unforced errors, this one will take some time to get over.
“You know those rooms where you just go in and you smash everything,” Sabalenka said. “Probably I will spend a whole day tomorrow over there destroying stuff. Maybe it will help, maybe not.”
Shnaider next faces Maja Chwalinska, who extended her remarkable Roland Garros run by beating No. 22-seeded Anna Kalinskaya 7-6 (3), 6-3.
In the men’s quarterfinals, 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli beat No. 4 Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to ensure there will be an Italian finalist. Cobolli will face one of two fellow Italians, Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi — who were playing later — in the semifinals.
The strong Italian showing comes despite top-ranked Jannik Sinner getting stunned in the second round.
Second-seeded Alexander Zverev and No. 26 Jakub Mensik will meet in the other semifinal.
Sabalenka stood still and screamed loudly after losing a point to fall 0-30 down in the sixth game of the decider and, although she saved two match points at 0-40 down, she lost when she sent a shot into the net.
“I just think it’s combination of everything,” Sabalenka lamented. “You overthink, then you make easy mistakes, then you miss opportunities.”
Her struggles were reminiscent of the match against Gauff, when she remonstrated loudly, shouting to herself and glaring at her team box.
“I just have to sit back and openly think about what’s going on in my head in those tough moments,” Sabalenka said, recalling that match. “Because I’m quite an experienced player. I have been through so many things, and I overcome so many things.”
Sabalenka had already looked agitated when serving for the first set but still looked in control as she served for the match in the second, holding a 30-15 lead.
“Of course I saw some moments of her frustration,” Shnaider said. “I know Aryna, that she’s a very emotional person."
Shnaider, who was already on her best run at a major, broke Sabelenka before taking complete control.
“Well, honestly I am speechless. Super happy,” Shnaider said. “I feel like I was trying to focus point by point. Not thinking about the score. She is the world No. 1, so I just trying to do my best. I just had to fight for every point.”
Sabalenka looked increasingly frustrated as the third set wore on, and when she missed a volley at the net in the fourth game of the decider she crouched and rested her head on her racket.
It was another big upset in a tournament where defending champion Gauff (third round) and four-time winner Iga Swiatek (fourth round) already tumbled out.
Defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner served for the match in a second round defeat, and 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic wasted a two-set lead in a third round loss.
That opened things up for lesser-known players. According to Opta, this is the first major without a former champion in either the men’s and women’s semifinals since the French Open in 1977.
The unseeded Chwalinska came through three qualifying rounds to become only the second Polish woman to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros, along with Swiatek.
Chwalinska said British player Emma Raducanu’s run to the 2021 U.S. Open title as an 18-year-old qualifier had inspired her.
“It was such an impressive run, you know,” Chwalinska recalled. “Also, she was so young.”
When Kalinskaya’s big forehand from the back of the court went out, the 24-year-old Chwalinska had her biggest win, having never been beyond the second round at any major before this tournament.
Chwalinska’s total prize money heading into Roland Garros was $864,030 and reaching the last four here earns her 750,000 euros (about $872,000).
The roof was open on Court Philippe-Chatrier and there was a lot of wind.
“I don’t know why would they keep the roof open when it was crazy windy,” Sabalenka said. “It was very dirty tennis. I don’t know how people could actually just sit there and watch me play.”
Kalinskaya also struggled.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Italy's Flavio Cobolli reacts after winning the quarterfinal tennis match against Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime at the French Open in Paris, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hugs Russia's Diana Shnaider after the quarterfinal tennis match at the French Open in Paris, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
Russia's Diana Shnaider reacts after winning the quarterfinal tennis match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the French Open in Paris, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts after losing the quarterfinal tennis match against Russia's Diana Shnaider at the French Open in Paris, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
Russia's Anna Kalinskaya walks off the court after the quarterfinal tennis match against Poland's Maja Chwalinska at the French Open in Paris, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Poland's Maja Chwalinska reacts after winning the quarterfinal tennis match against Russia's Anna Kalinskaya at the French Open in Paris, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Poland's Maja Chwalinska reacts after winning the quarterfinal tennis match against Russia's Anna Kalinskaya at the French Open in Paris, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
