Jarryd Hayne Already Looks like a NFL Player

Former Australian and Parramatta league star Jarryd Hayne is expected to join the ranks of the NFL in the coming days.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph reports that Hayne will today formally announce the Detroit Lions as his team, after considering other offers from the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers.

In recent weeks Hayne has been spending time back home in Sydney, where he has been working closely with renowned sprint coach Roger Fabri, whose clients include cross-code rugby international Sonny Bill Williams and Australian cricketer David Warner.

Hayne has worked hard to transform his physique to adapt to the rigours of NFL, adding size in the upper body, while also impressing Lions staff with his speed over 40-yards.

The 27-year-old reportedly clocked 4.53 seconds over a 40 yard (36.5 metres) sprint, making him faster than the majority of the elite American college players.

The NFL's 40-yard sprint was held in Indianapolis last weekend where future stars are evaluated by talent scouts, with speed having a huge bearing on whether they will be chosen in the NFL draft.

Hayne's time for running backs ranked him just sixth behind Jeremy Langford (Michigan State) 4.42 seconds, Karlos Williams (Florida State), 4.48, Trey Williams (Texas A & M) 4.49, David Johnson (Northern Iowa) 4.50 and Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) 4.52.

Hayne, currently a development player, ran 4.53 at his own pro testing day. He later tweeted: "My 4.5 on my pro puts me in the mix."

His time is .06 faster than the average time for a running back at the NFL combine of 4.59. And at 102kg, Hayne holds a significant weight advantage over many of his rivals.

Hayne is expected to return to the US in two weeks to begin an eight-week training program before coming home for a fortnight and then head back to Detroit for another 10-week training camp.