The Reds have taken significant steps to lock down some of the brightest talents in the country, awarding seven young players with elite Developing Squad contracts.
Electric fullback Floyd Aubrey leads the list of young guns set to join the Queensland Reds training program on a part-time basis.
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Aubrey was named Queensland Premier Rugby U20s Player of the Year after starring for GPS, rejecting a host of interest from other codes.
He is joined by schoolboy sensations Taj Annan and Carsen Patu along with Junior Wallaby quartet George Blake, Wilson Blyth, Lopeti Faifua and Keynan Tauakipulu.
"This is an extremely talented group of young men who have worked hard for their opportunity," Reds General Manager of Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said in a statement.
“They all have very diverse backgrounds in terms of how they entered our pathway which is really a credit to the entire Academy program for the work they continue to do in identifying talent for the Queensland Reds.
“The Reds Academy is recognised as one of the best in the country but we have higher aspirations. We pride ourselves on delivering a clear plan for our developing players.
“There’s no doubt we’ll see some of these players in a Reds jersey in the coming years but it is in their best interests not to be rushed into a fulltime environment.”
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Reds Head of Talent Management Paul Carozza added: “It’s great to reward another set of promising young Queensland products.
“All seven have impressed as they’ve progressed through the Queensland Rugby pathway, and we’re excited to see them take their opportunity to train with the Super Rugby squad.
“We’ve seen the likes of Josh Flook, Mac Grealy, Kalani Thomas and Zane Nonggorr make the jump to professional Rugby with the Reds over the last two years and hopefully some of these players can do the same in the future.”
