English rugby union winger Travis Clayton made headlines recently after being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the final round of the NFL Draft. Despite playing in the eighth tier of domestic rugby for Basingstoke, Clayton was the 221st overall pick in the seventh round.
The 23-year-old is set to make the transition to American football as an offensive lineman, despite never having played the sport competitively before. Clayton, who has not played for Basingstoke since March 2023, credits his rugby background for helping him adapt to the physicality and agility required in American football.
Basingstoke coach Richard Cheetham has praised Clayton’s transition, describing him as a “gentle giant” with ferocity on the pitch. Clayton was selected from the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme, where he caught the Bills’ attention with an impressive 4.79-second 40-yard dash.
The Bills were particularly impressed with Clayton’s speed, noting that it was the fastest they had recorded from an offensive lineman in the past decade. With the NFL recently adding an extra spot in practice squads for international players, including those from the pathway programme, teams now have the chance to develop talent from around the world.
Clayton’s journey from English rugby to American football serves as a testament to the growing opportunities for international players in the NFL. As he prepares to embark on this new chapter in his athletic career, all eyes will be on Clayton to see how he adapts to the challenges of the gridiron.
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