Valentine Holmes says he’s confident an NFL team will sign him after he completes an intense 12-week introduction to American football at the IMG Academy in Florida.

Holmes donned shoulder pads for the first time during a workout on Thursday at the facility.

“Yeah, I’m pretty confident,” Holmes told AAP.

“I wouldn’t have sacrificed everything if I wasn’t that confident in myself.”

The former NRL star held a practice session in front of a small group of Australian media members at the IMG Academy on Thursday.

He said IMG coaches have earmarked him as playing as a wide-receiver, a running back or punt returner.

Wide receiver coach Larry Kirksey said he was impressed with Holmes’ “silky” hands and speed.

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Holmes is a member of the NFL’s Pathway program designed to give international athletes two months of intensive training ahead of workouts for NFL scouts.

Former South Sydney Rabbitohs junior Jordan Mailata went through last year’s program and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Holmes has been at IMG for two weeks and has donned a helmet during workouts, but Thursday was his first time in pads.