Former Welsh international rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit is set to make a bold move by trying his hand at American football with the Kansas City Chiefs. This transition from rugby to football has traditionally been a challenging one, with many players failing to make a long-term impact in the new sport.
However, success stories do exist, such as Jordan Mailata, who has become one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL after transitioning from rugby. The Buffalo Bills are hoping to replicate Mailata’s success by drafting Travis Clayton, a player from the UK who has never played football before.
Clayton is part of the International Player Pathway program and has impressive physical attributes, standing at 6’7″ and 303 pounds with a lightning-fast 4.79 second 40-yard dash time. Despite his lack of football experience, Clayton believes that his rugby background will help him transition to the NFL, citing team knowledge and skills acquired from his time on the rugby field.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein has praised Clayton’s athleticism and ability to move fluidly on the field. However, Clayton’s future in the league will ultimately depend on his toughness and the opportunities for development provided by his team.
With the NFL always on the lookout for fresh talent, it will be interesting to see if Clayton can follow in Mailata’s footsteps and become a success story of his own in American football. Forever Sports Online will be keeping a close eye on his journey as he embarks on this new chapter in his athletic career.
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