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Hayden Smith arrived a year ago, a former international rugby star with no experience in organized football. He never wore a helmet, never put on shoulder pads, never ran a pass route. The most basic aspects of football -- i.e. mastering the quarterb...

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Last spring, the Jets signed an Australian rugby player, Hayden Smith, to become a tight end, even though he had no football experience. How about a former Norwegian soccer player known as a kicking trick-shot artist? Hey,...

Tight end Hayden Smith, a former rugby star who never played organized football until signing with the Jets last spring, was signed to the 53-man roster on Saturday -- a strong indication he will be active on Sunday when the Jets face the Dolphins at...

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Hayden Smith came to the Jets as a world-class rugby player, a professional athlete who hadn't played a lick of football. So, yeah, there are moments when he gets lost in translation. Like one day recently in Cortland, where he ...

Aussie Hayden Smith is looking to learn the sport and earn a spot with the Jets.

The Jets made it official on Saturday, announcing the signing of Australian rugby star Hayden Smith. Say this about the Jets: They're not afraid to think outside the box. This is a no-risk signing. If he can't cut it, no harm, no foul. On pa...

The New York Jets on Tuesday agreed to a three-year contract with Australian rugby star Hayden Smith, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound former basketball player who projects as a tight end in the NFL, his agent confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini.

UPDATE: Former University of Minnesota coach Tim Brewster, Hayden Smith's personal coach, tweeted on Saturday that Smith has signed with the Jets. The Jets have yet to confirm the signing. The Jets are showing serious interest in Australian rugb...

INDIANAPOLIS -- GM Mike Tannenbaum is known for thinking outside the box when it comes to procuring talent. Now he's looking outside the hemisphere. The Jets worked out Australian native Hayden Smith, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound rugby star, according to...

Are the Jets looking Down Under once again for football talent? They did it in 2005, signing former Australian Rules Football star Ben Graham as a punter, and there are reports out of Australia that they're sniffing around again for a player. Acco...