Welsh Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit could score a spot on an NFL this offseason after participating in UCF’s Pro Day workout this week. He now earns his bid to visit a pair of teams for a roster spot as he’s one step closer to his NFL debut. Rees-Zammit shocked many fans when he announced this year that he was leaving Rugby to pursue his dreams of becoming an NFL athlete. He was one of the best wingers, but now he transitions to take center stage on a football field instead of pitch.
NFL UK announced that Rees-Zammit, joining the league’s International Player Pathway Program, will visit with the Browns and Jets. He’s expected to meet with other teams after posting a 40 in 4.43 seconds during this week’s Pro Day. Many NFL scouts approached him after he dripped in sweat and still caught his breath. He’s among the 15 athletes from eight countries participating in the Pathway Program to earn a shot in the league.
All eyes were on him as he lined up before clocking in his 40-yard dash. Many talking heads wanted to experience how fast “Rees-Lightning” could run under the adversity of stopwatches. Rees-Zammit clocked in a 4.5 on his first attempt but improved to a 4.43 on his second run. He plans to try out the running back, wide receiver and returner position once he tries out with his first two teams.
Since the program began, 37 international players have signed with teams and 18 currently have a spot on a roster. Jordan Mailata, Jakob Johnson, Efe Obada, Sammis Reyes and David Bada are all on active teams currently. Now, Rees-Zammit could be the next international athlete to score an NFL spot.
Louis Rees-Zammit, representing the IPP Program, begins his series of team visits following his Pro Day.
First up are the @Browns & @nyjets, with more in the upcoming days as he aims to secure his first NFL contract 🏴 pic.twitter.com/EIYypphvcM
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) March 22, 2024
Welsh Rugby Star Louis Rees-Zammit Could Score Spot on NFL Team
Could Rees-Lightning Become NFL Bound?
The famous rugby star is eligible for this year’s draft after recently joining the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. The program was established in 2017 to give elite athletes across the world the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster. NFL continues to increase the number of international athletes in the league after allowing teams to have a 17th roster spot on the practice squad. According to the Associated Press, Rees-Zammit explains why he plans to pursue a career in the league.
“It’s always been on my mind. My dad has been a massive role model to me because he brought me up loving the sport. He played the sport when he was younger, so it’s quite easy to love the game because I’ve been watching it since I was young,” he said. “So, it’s always been in the back of my head, but it’s just amazing to finally do it now.”
According to Pro Football Talk, the NFL added the 17th roster spot so it brings more appeal to adding someone like Rees-Zammit. He may not become a star player quickly in the new scenery, but he’s worth the flyer for the Jets and Browns. Rees-Zammit will likely be taken as a UDFA or in late rounds.
Expectations for Him
As the 23-year-old is eyeing a new career challenge, he has the speed that every team might want. The lightning-caliber-like could add that rarity boost to a team’s offense. So how does he fare against NFL stars like Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, Derrick Henry and Deebo Samuel? His second attempt on the 40-yard dash was faster than Samuel and McCaffrey combined. So it seems like Rees-Zammit’s future looks bright wherever he lands.
