UK (Commonwealth) _ Louis Rees-Zammit, a Welsh rugby player, participated in UCF’s Pro Day session this week, which might lead to his being selected by an NFL team this offseason. He’s getting closer to making his NFL debut after earning the right to visit two teams in search of a roster berth.
When Rees-Zammit said in January that he was quitting the Welsh national team to pursue his ambition of becoming an NFL player, rugby fans were taken aback. Instead of being the focus of attention on a rugby pitch, the gifted 23-year-old—one of the finest wingers in the sport—was suddenly the talk of the football field.
Rees-Zammit, who just joined the league’s International Player Pathway Program, will have visits with the Browns and Jets, according to NFL UK. He is anticipated to meet with additional organizations following his Pro Day performance this week, where he posted a 40 in 4.43 seconds. He was still breathing and drenched in perspiration when a number of NFL scouts came up to talk to him. He is one of the fifteen athletes from eight different nations that are taking part in the Pathway Program to try to get into the league.
His 40-yard sprint timed out with everyone watching him line up. A lot of talking heads were curious to see how quickly “Rees-Lightning” could sprint in the face of stopwatches. Rees-Zammit’s first effort resulted in a 4.5, but his second run resulted in a 4.43. After trying out for his first two teams, he intends to try out for the positions of wide receiver, returner, and running back.
Eighteen foreign players presently hold a roster position out of the 37 that have signed with teams since the program’s inception. Currently, David Bada, Sammis Reyes, Efe Obada, Jordan Mailata, and Jakob Johnson are all on active teams. Rees-Zammit may now become the next foreign athlete to earn a berth in the NFL. The well-known rugby player recently enrolled in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, making him eligible for this year’s draft.
The initiative was started in 2017 with the goal of providing top athletes with the chance to compete for a roster place in the NFL throughout the globe. After permitting teams to have a 17th roster slot on the practice squad, the NFL has continued to add foreign athletes to its ranks. Rees-Zammit discusses why he intends to pursue a career in the league, via the Associated Press.
It’s been on my thoughts nonstop. Because he instilled in me a love for the game, my dad has served as a huge role model for me. He added, “It’s fairly simple to love the game because I’ve been seeing it since I was young.” He had played the sport in his early years. Though it’s always been on the back of my mind, it’s incredible that I’m now getting around to it.
The 23-year-old possesses the speed that any team might desire, and he is looking forward to a new challenge in his career. The lightning-caliber player might provide a team’s attack that extra edge in rarity. In comparison to NFL players like Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, Derrick Henry, and Deebo Samuel, how does he perform? On the 40-yard sprint, he outran Samuel and McCaffrey combined on his second try. Therefore, it appears that Rees-Zammit has a great future wherever he ends up.
When Rees-Zammit lined up to run the 40-yard sprint, all eyes were on him. Under the strain of stopwatches, everyone was curious to see how quickly “Rees-Lightning” could run, but he only managed a 4.5, on his initial attempt. On his second attempt, he advanced to an official time of 4.43.
Thirteen foreign players have made agreements with teams since the NFL launched this initiative, and eighteen of them are on active rosters. There have been five players on active rosters: David Bada, Sammis Reyes, Efe Obada, Jordan Mailata, and Jakob Johnson.
The program’s star is Mailata, an ex- Australian rugby player. This season, each team is going to have a 17th roster position on the practice squad reserved for a foreign player for the first time. In order to give players more chances to improve and get into games, teams may also promote a foreign practice squad member to the active roster up to three times in the course of the season. A qualified foreign player will also be granted one roster exemption for training camp by their respective teams.
Top possibilities include English offensive lineman Travis Clayton, Nigerian wide receiver Praise Olatoke, and Rees-Zammit. Every one of the sixteen athletes has promise. It all boils down to impressing scouts and learning a new skill.
