There are several former rugby union wingers looking to make an NFL debut this season besides Louis Rees-Zammit.
The Buffalo Bills selected Travis Clayton, an offensive lineman who has never participated in a competitive American football game, in the seventh round of the NFL draft.
Man Mountain Clayton, who last played rugby in March of last year for the eighth-tier Basingstoke RFC of the Counties 2 Hampshire Division, entered the international player pathway program in January along with Welsh speedster Rees-Zammit after joining the NFL Academy in 2019.
Together with 14 other NFL prospects, the two traveled to Florida in January for a rigorous 10-week training camp. And although Rees-Zammit inked a three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in March, during workouts, the 23-year-old Clayton won over scouts from other teams.
At 6 feet 7 inches tall and 21 stone 9 pounds, Clayton is in decent shape for his size. Recently, he ran the 40-meter sprint in 4.79 seconds, which was the fastest offensive lineman time in the previous ten years, according to Bills scouts.
I adore things’ tangible aspects. It’s fantastic to be on the offensive line and legally be able to vent your emotions on somebody, said Clayton. “I can just make the most of my strength.”
Clayton was present as his name was announced as the 221st overall choice on Saturday in downtown Detroit, where a record 775,000 spectators attended the three-day event.
“This place feels like a carnival,” a beaming Clayton, sporting a Bills cap, remarked on Zoom. Everything was kind of a blur, but fortunately I was able to enter the stage in time and was dragged left, right, and center. On stage, I hope I performed it correctly.
Clayton experimented with athletics, football, boxing, rowing, and tennis in addition to rugby union. He will soon join his new teammates for planned team activities leading up to training camp in August.
I didn’t visit the Bills, but come on, this is the NFL, dude. Buffalo approached me. I was wanted by Buffalo. Clayton remarked, “I’m just ready to work.” Until I travel to Buffalo, I don’t think it will truly start to work. However, there are a lot of other emotions at play right now. It’s absurd.
Observing his exercises, the Bills took a chance on his athletic ability. Clayton’s footage impressed Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, who forwarded it to general manager Brandon Beane.
“Man, this guy’s athletic,” he thought. Necessarily uncooked,” Beane remarked. Beane continued, “You know, I’ve never seen him really, truly play football.” However, I am aware that he was a fantastic young guy and a boxer as well as a rugby player. Furthermore, his measurables jump off the page.
With the goal of bringing international athletes from all backgrounds into the NFL, the international player pathway was introduced in 2017.
Five graduates are currently on active NFL rosters. These include Jordan Mailata, an Australian former rugby league player who plays offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles, and British-Nigerian Efe Obada of the Washington Commanders, who is starting his seventh NFL season.
Clayton will now have the opportunity to join that list. “Playing in the NFL has always been my dream,” he continued. That’s exactly what I wanted to hear—my name called. While there are still many measures to be taken, this is a major first step. It’s fortunate.
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