Report: Lions To Sign Australian Rugby Superstar Jarryd Hayne
SYDNEY, Australia (CBS Detroit) -- After months of rumors and speculation, the Detroit Lions are indeed expected to sign Australian rugby star Jarryd Hayne this week.
According the the Daily Telegraph in Sydney, Australia, Hayne chose to sign with the Lions over the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks due to the Lions' " proven track record in player development."
Hayne, the 27-year-old who is expected to play running back but could be moved to another position, played for the Parramatta Eels from 2006 to 2014 before he walked away to focus on becoming an NFL player.
The Lions expressed interest in Hayne late in the season, as reported by CBS Detroit's Ashley Dunkak, when he visited the team's headquarters.
"He did a – which I don't think is a secret – he did a workout for several different teams out in San Diego," Caldwell said. "He was traveling around the country to take a look at different locations in this league and thus that was one of those visits."