UPDATE: GOLD COAST coach Rodney Eade believes NFL prospect Brandon Kaufman has the athleticism to make the grade as an AFL footballer.

Foxsports.com.au reported on Thursday that Kaufman — who was contracted to the Buffalo Bills — is set to be signed by the Suns after shining in a recent trial.

The 25-year-old wide receiver and corner back impressed the Suns during a one-week visit in January with his competitiveness and ability to quickly adapt to a foreign game.

“His ability to grab concepts and improve quickly is quite incredible and this includes kicking,” Eade told AFL Tonight. “So you would think if he can keep improving at that rate it’s not unrealistic,”

Round 18

Kaufman stands at 196cm and weighs 107kg, but runs 100 metres in 10.4 seconds and Eade says he is best suited to a tall defensive position.

“I think he would initially be a defender. You would think he could compete with guys taller than him. He’ll be a tallish defender. He’s got great athletic prowess, he’s quick and quite strong.”

The Suns will take advantage of a recent tweak to the rookie system eliminating age restriction on category B and international rookies to draft Colorado product.

Gold Coast also trialled another NFL prospect in January, a taller athlete, but he returned to the US to take a spot on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.

Eade endorsed the professionalism of both players and he believes “combative” nature of NFL athletes makes them more attractive than former basketballers.

“The good thing with Americans is that they’ve grown up in the college system and it’s very cut throat. They are used to setbacks so they are quite resilient and they do persevere and they are competitive,” Eade said.

“We noticed when they were out here how respectful they were, how willing they are to learn ... There’s not second guessing or anything like that. They are just really compliant.”

Kaufman spent four years at Eastern Washington University, but missed out on the 2013 NFL draft before signing with the Bills as a free agent.

He was cut from the Bills roster and then signed to the practice squad ahead of the 2013 season, but he failed to play a game.