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Posted: 2014-12-10 09:38:49
NFL bid: Jarryd Hayne has appointed a US agent.

NFL bid: Jarryd Hayne has appointed a US agent. Photo: Getty Images

Jarryd Hayne has appointed US agent Jack Bechta to represent him in the same week he visited two NFL clubs as he continues to chase his American dream.

Hayne's Australian manager Wayne Beavis flew to the States last month to meet with six different agents interested in representing the former Parramatta Eels superstar, deciding to go with Bechta, who has signed 250 NFL contracts throughout 24 years in the industry.

Hayne recently began a tour of west coast NFL clubs, visiting the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahwaks in the past few days

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The 26-year-old, who has been training in southern California since leaving Australian shores, visited the 49ers' training facility on Monday and Seahawks' on Tuesday. 

Among Bechta's 20 current active clients are first-round draft picks, Pro Bowl selections and high-profile coaches.

He has managed Australians Matt McBriar (Dallas Cowboys pro bowl punter) and Hayden Smith, a rugby player turned tight end for the New York Jets in 2012. Interestingly Bechta also used to manage 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who Hayne visited. 

Bechta took to Twitter on Wednesday to announce the signing of Hayne.

"Proud.Excited.Honored to announce I & JB Sports team is representing  @jarrydhayne_1 the Hayne Plane still flying under the radar for now!," Bechta tweeted.

When Hayne announced his departure from rugby league in October, Bechta posted a story on the National Football Post with his thoughts on the decision.

"There will be a few other areas where Jarryd will have some culture shocks. For one, Rugby is one of the world's greatest fraternities," Bechta said.

"The players practically live together, travel together, socialize together, vacation together and train year round together. The NFL is very different. With only 16 games and 53 players, a rugby player won't find the same kind of closeness he experienced with his other teammates. Many NFL players are married and rarely ever go out. Certain position groups stick together and don't do much with other position groups. Unlike rugby, the NFL roster turns over so much that it's hard to build and maintain relationships with teammates.

"The other x factor involved with Jarryd having success or not may be out of his hands. Coaches select what players get the practice reps in the preseason and mini camp. If a coach thinks another player can help the team more, a crossover rugby player may never get the reps, coaching and time he needs to be successful. So no matter how hard he works, how talented he is, and how determined he is to make plays, he may never be given a fair opportunity to compete."

The Seattle Times reported on Tuesday "the likely scenario here is that Hayne will hold some workouts and then maybe sign with an NFL team after the season, when rosters can expand from their current 53 (plus practice squad, etc.) to the 90 that is allowed for training camp".

"What is also likely is that you will hear about Hayne visiting lots of other teams," Seattle Times columnist Bob Condotta wrote.

"So for now, while it's interesting that Hayne paid Seattle a visit, I'd hold off anointing him a Seahawk."

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