In the wake of Jarryd Hayne's success is a young star in the making who is on a similar path. Houston Noema has given up his successful fitness business, Fit Futures, to move to America to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.
He has lit up the pre-season.
Houston Noema is chasing the same dream in the same city at the City College of San Francisco. He says, "Just being here has already changed the way I see football and the level that I am able to play at."
Hayne starred in his four pre-season games earning a spot in the 49ers' final 53-man roster. He'll make his NFL debut on Tuesday. Houston says Hayne's success has kept him going.
"It's a coincidence how the same time I got here he came. It's quite motivating and I was watching one of his games, the commentator said it'll be interesting to see if a NZer could do the same," says Noema.
Despite being a line-backer, a defensive position, Houston is facing similar challenges to Hayne.
He says, "It's not only physical but you have to be mentally prepared as well, it's not like rugby where you can just go out there and do your thing. You got to know where to go and what to do."
With Houston's work ethic and natural ability, we may see the next Jarryd Hayne.