Louis Rees-Zammit, one of many main wingers in world rugby, will signal with the Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, in keeping with a number of stories.
Rees-Zammit, 22, has spent the final two months coaching within the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway program, an initiative launched in 2017 to recruit athletes from around the globe and enhance the variety of worldwide gamers within the league.
He accomplished his professional day final week, working a reported 4.43 seconds within the 40 yard sprint, and at 6-foot-3, 194 kilos, initiatives as a working again/broad receiver within the mould of Cordarrelle Patterson.
Nevertheless, Rees-Zammit expressed frustration along with his efficiency after the exercise, saying that he had run occasions within the 4.20s throughout coaching. He was nicknamed “Rees-Lightning” throughout his rugby profession.
After finishing his professional day in entrance of scouts from 31 NFL groups, Rees-Zammit visited the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos, in addition to the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have gained three of the previous 4 Tremendous Bowls, together with final season’s, and boast two of the league’s finest gamers in quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight-end Travis Kelce, alongside future Corridor of Fame coach Andy Reid.
The announcement of his transition away from rugby was the largest coup for this system since its launch. Whereas earlier rugby union gamers to try the transition — corresponding to Christian Wade, Alex Grey, and Christian Scotland-Williamson — haven’t been worldwide gamers, Rees-Zammit was a star participant for Wales. In 2021, he was named to the British & Irish Lions squad — a mixed aspect made up of gamers from England, Wales, Scotland and Eire, thought-about one of many biggest honors within the sport.
He maybe most intently compares to Valentine Holmes, who was the most effective wingers in rugby league on the time of his transfer to the NFL in 2019. Holmes spent only one season on the follow squad of the New York Jets.
The distinction right here is Rees-Zammit’s youth in comparison with different rugby gamers who’ve tried the transfer. At simply 22 years previous, he has time to adapt to the specificities of American soccer.
What’s the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway program?
As talked about above, this system launched in 2017 to supply worldwide athletes a path to the NFL.
One NFL division is chosen at random to take part in this system every year, in keeping with the NFL. The 4 groups in that division are allowed an additional roster spot within the offseason for an IPP participant.
IPP gamers will be signed to the 53-man roster or waived after coaching camp, and are eligible to hitch a crew’s follow squad by way of an exemption in the event that they clear waivers.
Philadelphia Eagles sort out Jordan Mailata, who grew up enjoying rugby in Australia, is arguably probably the most well-known IPP alumnus. Mailata, who was 21 years previous when the Eagles drafted him in 2018, has began 57 video games over the past 4 seasons.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (Germany) and Washington Commanders linebacker Efe Obada (Nigeria) additionally participated within the IPP program.
(David Rogers/Getty Photographs)