When Jordan Mailata first stepped onto an NFL field, it wasn’t just his size that turned heads—it was his story. A former rugby league player from Australia with zero football experience, Mailata was a long shot in every sense of the word. The notion of someone making the leap from an entirely different sport to professional football, especially at a position as nuanced and technique-driven as offensive tackle, bordered on fantasy. But now, in 2025, that fantasy has become reality, and reality has evolved into recognition. Jordan Mailata has officially cracked the NFL Top 100, a list voted on by his peers, marking not just a personal milestone but also a symbolic victory for every unconventional path in professional sports.
This honor isn’t just about stats or popularity—it’s about respect. The NFL Top 100 is compiled based on votes by the very players who share the field with Mailata. To make that list, especially as an offensive lineman—one of the most underappreciated positions in the league—is to earn the highest level of acknowledgment in the locker room and across the line of scrimmage. It means Mailata’s peers see him as elite, as someone whose presence on the field changes the dynamics of a game. For Mailata, this is the culmination of a years-long transformation that defied logic, shattered expectations, and captivated fans and analysts alike.
The Philadelphia Eagles took a calculated risk when they selected Mailata in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. It was the kind of pick that raised eyebrows—not because teams were surprised he went so late, but because many were shocked he was drafted at all. Mailata was a complete unknown in football terms. He had never played a down of organized American football before arriving in the States. What he did have was size, strength, athleticism, and a rugby highlight reel that showed uncanny agility for a man his size. Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 365 pounds, Mailata possessed a rare blend of traits that coaches dream about but rarely get to mold from scratch.
Philadelphia’s offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland deserves enormous credit for Mailata’s development. Stoutland treated the Aussie not as a project, but as a blank canvas. Mailata spent his first two seasons mostly learning—studying the game, practicing footwork, and internalizing the intricacies of offensive line play. He was humbled repeatedly in practice by some of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. Yet he never broke. His willingness to learn, to be coached, and to grind through pain and confusion endeared him to the coaching staff. Slowly, the physical gifts started to meet the mental demands of the position.
By the time he got his first real opportunity to start in 2020, Mailata was ready. He started 10 games that season and immediately showed flashes of greatness—strong pass protection, devastating run blocking, and most importantly, steady improvement. He didn’t look like a rugby player pretending to be a football player anymore. He looked like a left tackle. The Eagles saw enough to invest in his future, signing him to a four-year, \$64 million extension in 2021, betting that he could anchor the left side of their line for years to come. That bet has paid off in a big way.
Since becoming a full-time starter, Mailata has been one of the most dominant offensive linemen in football. He has protected star quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blindside with consistency and strength. He’s helped power a fearsome rushing attack that has routinely ranked among the league’s best. He’s rarely penalized, rarely beaten one-on-one, and rarely off balance. For a man who just a few years ago didn’t know the rules of the game, Mailata now dictates the terms in the trenches.
What makes his emergence even more compelling is his personality and humility. Mailata has embraced the city of Philadelphia, and the city has embraced him right back. He’s beloved by teammates, coaches, and fans not just because he plays well, but because he carries himself with a mix of gratitude and charisma. Whether it’s his booming laugh, his singing talent (which famously wowed audiences during appearances on shows like “The Masked Singer”), or his candid interviews, Mailata has become a beacon of joy and effort in a league often dominated by headlines of ego and drama.
His spot in the Top 100 is more than symbolic. It signals that he’s no longer just a feel-good story or an international curiosity. He’s elite. He belongs in conversations with the likes of Trent Williams, Laremy Tunsil, and Rashawn Slater. Offensive tackles rarely get the glory, but Mailata’s inclusion suggests that players have taken notice of his tape—how he neutralizes top pass rushers, how he moves in space, how he finishes blocks with authority. It’s football at its finest, rendered even more impressive because it comes from someone who didn’t grow up immersed in the sport.
Jordan Mailata’s rise also serves as an inspiration for the NFL’s continued efforts to globalize the game. The International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), which helped him get exposure to scouts and teams, was once viewed as a niche initiative. Mailata’s success provides a case study for what can happen when talent is found in non-traditional places and then properly developed. He is now a living, breathing example that the IPPP isn’t just a PR gimmick—it’s a viable talent pipeline.
More than anything, though, Mailata’s journey is about belief—belief in potential, in development, in the long game. So much of the modern NFL is obsessed with instant returns. Teams want rookies to contribute immediately. Coaches want plug-and-play starters. Fans demand production. Mailata’s arc proves that with patience, coaching, and the right mentality, greatness can emerge even from the most unlikely places.
It’s also worth noting how Mailata’s story fits within the broader context of the Eagles’ culture. Philadelphia has long been a franchise that values offensive line play. With legends like Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, and Jason Kelce having paved the way, Mailata has had the benefit of being surrounded by elite mentors. Kelce, in particular, often spoke highly of Mailata’s work ethic and potential before retiring, helping pass the torch to a new generation of linemen.
As the Eagles continue to build around Jalen Hurts, having someone like Mailata protecting him is invaluable. In today’s NFL, where pass rushers are faster, stronger, and more versatile than ever, a dependable left tackle is a cornerstone asset. Mailata provides that security blanket. And the fact that he does it with a background that includes zero college snaps, zero high school football, and no Pop Warner days makes it all the more jaw-dropping.
In interviews following the Top 100 announcement, Mailata downplayed the accolade in typical fashion. He thanked his teammates. He thanked his coaches. He said it was “cool” but that he still had a long way to go. That humility is part of his charm. But make no mistake—this is not some flash-in-the-pan recognition. Mailata is here to stay. He is a foundational piece of one of the NFL’s premier teams, and now, he has the league-wide respect to match.
Fans can expect more from him in the coming years. At just 27, Mailata is entering his prime. His technique continues to evolve. His understanding of defensive schemes is sharpening. And with the Eagles expected to remain contenders in the NFC, Mailata will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills on the biggest stages. If Philadelphia makes another deep playoff run—or even returns to the Super Bowl—expect to see his name mentioned even more frequently among the game’s best.
Jordan Mailata’s spot in the Top 100 is more than a career milestone. It’s a testament to perseverance, to vision, to coaching, and to self-belief. It’s about rewriting what’s possible and redefining what talent looks like. In a league dominated by traditional paths—high school, college, draft—Mailata has carved his own, unique route to stardom. And with every pancake block, every clean pocket, and now with every peer vote of respect, he cements his place not just in the NFL, but in the hearts of everyone who believes that greatness can come from anywhere.
