CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is one of at least a half-dozen NFL players who have agreed to be ambassadors to the new NFL Academy in London for high school age student athletes.

The academy, announced Tuesday by the NFL, hopes to give young people in the UK a chance to play American football and work in the sport in various capacities. Beginning in September of 2019, the academy will provide student athletes aged 16-18 the opportunity to get a high school education while also learning to play football from full-time professional coaches.

Sponsored by Nike and based at Barnet and Southgate College in North London, the students will have opportunities to play NCAA college in the United States.

Beckham, who enjoys spending time in Europe, has pledged his support as a mentor, which will include regular visits to the academy.

Others are two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster; the Philadelphia Eagles’ British-born running back Jay Ajayi; and the Carolina Panthers’ London-raised defensive end Efe Obada. NFL Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice will also participate, and other ambassadors will be announced in the future.

“The NFL Academy is a fantastic innovation and I feel privileged to be a part of it,’’ Beckham said in an NFL release. “I hope I can be an inspiration to young people who want to use football to make better lives for themselves and I’m excited to be able to play a small part in their journey.”

“Being from London and having spent time with so many young athletes there, I know how much the NFL Academy will mean to them,” said Obada. “To have the chance to pursue American football while receiving an education and other life-changing skills is an awesome opportunity. The values that the sport teaches go beyond the field and can help you make more of your life. I am really excited to give the NFL Academy my support and help these young people achieve their dreams.”

Mahomes said: “I am very proud to be one of the first ambassadors for the NFL Academy in the UK. Through the work of my foundation – 15 and the Mahomies – we work to give young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, greater opportunities in life. The NFL Academy’s objective in combining football and education to do just that is something I am very excited about playing a role in. I can’t wait to see it get started and I look forward to getting over to London to contribute to its success.”

Ajayi added: “American football changed my life and I have seen it change the lives of many others. I am looking forward to helping the students at the NFL Academy reach their potential, whether it is as students or football players. Maybe I will be playing with some of them in the NFL one day!”

The academy, which will soon begin tryouts for its inaugural class of about 80, coincides with the NFL playing its first games in October at North London’s new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“The Academy is a first-of-its kind initiative that will deliver against three key elements: education, character development and football,” said NFL UK Managing Director Alistair Kirkwood. “The inspiration for the idea was our long-term partnership with Tottenham Hotspur. As well as playing games at the new stadium, we had a desire to create something meaningful for the community on a year-round basis.

“Also, we have seen from the success of players such as Efe Obada in our Player Pathway program that with the right kind of ambition and approach there is potential to achieve breakthrough results.”

Nike will supply the football uniforms.

“To have Nike’s support as a partner is a massive endorsement of the Academy,” said Kirkwood. “Their expertise will be a valuable asset and something we know the students will be really proud of and excited about.”