SYDNEY boy Hayden Smith will become only the second non-kicking Australian to play in the NFL tomorrow morning after being called up by the New York Jets.

Smith, a former professional rugby player, will suit up as a tight-end for the Jets against the Miami Dolphins after making the bold switch to American football early this year.



The 27-year-old from the Blue Mountains had been training with the team's wider practice group, but an injury to Jets TE2 Jeff Cumberland saw Smith elevated to the 52-man match day squad.



Smith will join Colin Scotts (1987) as the only Australian to play in the NFL in a position other than punter when the Jets meet the Doplhins, starting at 4am (ADST).



"Huge thank you to everyone for their support!!!" Smith tweeted.



"Has been an amazing journey so far and I know there is plenty more to come."



Smith's debut will be the latest chapter in a remarkable sporting odyssey.



Raised in Sydney's west, Smith was a talented junior basketballer who regularly trained with the Sydney Kings.



Smith played US college basketball in Denver as a power forward for three years, but rough plans to pursue a career in the NBL were scuttled when the Kings folded in.



Looking for a way to keep fit, Smith began playing rugby for his college and was immediately snapped up as a prospect.



Smith, who stands at 1.98m and weighs in at 120kg, played for US universities as a lock and after five games was called into the US Eagles national team.



The giant forward won a professional contract with UK team Saracens and last year played against the Wallabies in Wellington at 2011 Rugby World Cup.



Originally published as Aussie jets in for NFL debut