BREAKING SPORTS NEWS: Cashel rugby player making waves in America

Oluwanifemi ‘Neff’ Giwa, a towering 6-foot-7, 295-pound 20-year-old from Cashel, Tipperary, watched his world transform in just two weeks when a brief training video of him exploded online.

Giwa was born in Ireland after his parents moved from Nigeria. His father is a physiotherapist, and his mother is a nurse. Cashel Rugby Club are fiercely proud of their former team member, noting how he first pulled on the jersey for them as a 10-year-old and was ‘something special’ from the start. He also played for Cashel King Cormac at underage level.

READ ALSO: All-Star hurler Padraic Maher begins new sporting career in Tipperary with a bang

According to Bruce Feldman in The Athletic, Giwa had never watched a full American football game, only highlights, before major college programs began showing interest. He previously represented Munster and the Ireland U18 Clubs/Schools side in 2022, a team composed of players from non-fee-paying secondary schools, playing alongside Seán Edogbo, who would later represent Munster and Ireland.

Now, Giwa finds himself at the heart of a whirlwind recruitment battle. Head coach Mario Cristobal was the first to offer a scholarship after seeing the viral clip. Soon after, powerhouse programs such as Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas Tech, and SMU followed suit, while Michigan, Clemson, and Kentucky have shown keen interest throughout his career.

Collier discovered Giwa earlier this year and instantly recognised a rare, exceptional talent.

He said, “Oh, my gosh! I wanted to fly him to Germany tomorrow.”

When Giwa travelled to Germany for testing, his performance lived up to the hype. Standing 6-foot-7½ with 37-inch arms, he clocked a blazing 4.88-second 40-yard dash and soared to a 9-foot-10-inch broad jump, both extraordinary feats for someone of his stature.

Giwa’s athletic journey is as varied as it is impressive. He began with soccer as a child, moved on to rugby with Cashel Rugby Club, and during his teenage years, competed in athletics and basketball, experiences he credits for sharpening his coordination and explosive power.

READ ALSO: Tipperary ‘will be ready’ for Championship opener despite mixed league campaign - Bubbles