Perhaps the biggest story within this year’s NFL International Player Pathway is that of Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit.
The news of the 22 year-old’s commitment to American football was released minutes before the Wales rugby team announced their squad for the upcoming Six-Nations tournament. Naturally, Rees-Zammit’s name was not on the team roster.
The explosive winger burst onto the scene for Gloucester as a teenager before making his international debut in October 2020. Since then, Rees-Zammit has become one of his country’s star players. He recorded five tries in last year’s Rugby World Cup, where he helped Wales reach the quarter-finals.
“I have had the incredible honor of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I’ve never taken for granted,” Rees-Zammit said. “However, I believe that this is the right time for me to realize another professional goal of playing American football in the U.S. Those opportunities don’t come around very often.”
With a 6’3”, 210 pound frame and great ball skills, Rees-Zammit is listed to be trying his hand at receiver or running back.
Unbelievably excited for the challenge ahead 🙌🏼 can’t wait to get started ⚡️ @NFLUK pic.twitter.com/OEcyYpayve
— Louis Rees-Zammit ⚡️ (@LouisReesZammit) January 18, 2024
The young rugby star has clocked in at a top speed of 24.2mph in games – for comparison, Tyreek Hill’s fastest ever speed was 23.2mph. Although Hill was carrying pads and a helmet, it’s clear the Welshman won’t struggle to keep up with the speed of NFL players.
Where Rees-Zammit will have to rapidly improve, however, is the very unique and nuanced skills involved in running routes and operating in an NFL offense.
A first look of Rees-Zammit on the gridiron was released to his social media platforms:
This video was also released days later of the rugby star working on his route-running mechanics: