The speedy and the inquisitive: Soaring youngster Xavier had NFL in sights

Raiders speedster Xavier Savage has spilled the beans ahead of this weekend's showdown against the Warriors at Allegiant Stadium on how an NFL career was his backup plan if he didn't crack it in the NRL.

Savage, who popped the question to partner Taliah Simbolon in front of the breathtaking Bellagio Hotel and Casino fountains, never imagined he would venture to Las Vegas to play footy.

However, he did toy with the idea of heading to the United States to chase his sporting dreams.

The Cairns native was one of the quickest sprinters for his age in Australia, posting times of 6.91sec for 60m and 10.85sec for 100m back in 2018.

Endowed with speed and athleticism, the young speedster had aspirations of playing American Football if his NRL ambitions didn't come to fruition.

The now 22-year-old said he was weighing up the possibility of a US college scholarship until the Raiders expressed interest and presented him with a development deal.