Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit to pursue an NFL career
One of rugby’s biggest and brightest stars, Louis Rees-Zammit, has shocked the sport by announcing Tuesday his departure from it to pursue an NFL career. He plans to join the league’s international player pathway, which has produced the likes of Jordan Mailata and Jakob Johnson.
“Gloucester Rugby has been a huge part of my life,” Rees-Zammit said on Instagram. “From the start at Hartpury College and my first professional rugby contract with Gloucester in 2020, to my Wales and Lions caps; the club has been central to my development as a player, and I’m so grateful for their support.
“I will always be very proud of my time at Kingsholm and want to particularly thank the incredible fans who make the club so special. Also, to my teammates, to [coach] George Skivington and [CEO] Alex Brown, thank you for giving me such special memories and for supporting this next stage of my career.
“I have had the incredible honour of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I’ve never taken for granted. However, I believe that this is the right time for me to realise another professional goal of playing American football in the US. Those opportunities don’t come around very often.”
Quote Via ESPN
This announcement came mere moments before Wales announced their lineup for the upcoming Six Nations, a tournament involving the top Rugby teams in Europe and an event Zammit was routinely a part of while playing for Wales.
It certainly is a big blow, as Zammit has seemingly cemented himself already as one of the sport’s premier players. Winning 31 Test Cups for Wales while scoring 14 tries, he is one of the best wingers in the game and will surely be missed by his former Rugby teammates.
All this turns Zammit into one of the most intriguing international prospects we have seen. He is still only 22-years-old, so you assume he still has quite a bit left in the tank.
The next question then becomes where you play him? At 6-foot-3, 216 pounds, there are a couple of different options. The obvious choice is either wide receiver or running back. It seems simple enough: Get the ball in his hands and let him run wild; it’s pretty much what he’s already done his entire life.
The other option I had in mind, though, was plugging him in at maybe free safety. Or just as a defensive back in general.
The kid is clearly very athletic and has the length to cover a lot of ground out there on the field. Think of Kyle Hamilton, who is 6-foot-4, 220 lbs. Just a tall, lengthy guy who always seems to be disrupting a play in some way.
Obviously, Hamilton has the advantage of playing organized football his entire life. But it’s just a little food for thought.
Although his former rugby team, Gloucester, is surely sour to see him go. They have seemingly given their blessings and wish Zammit the best of luck on his journey to the NFL.
“We understand the size of the opportunity before Zammit and his lifelong ambition to play in the NFL,” Alex Brown, Gloucester’s CEO, said in a statement “Whilst we are naturally sad to see him leave, ultimately, we are not able to dissuade him from taking an opportunity of this magnitude with the NFL.”
Quote Via ESPN
I imagine whoever does pick him up will likely first try there luck with him on the offensive side of the ball. It seems the most natural so I cant hate the thought process. But if that doesnt work out, try throwing him at saftey or corner and see what happens. He could just surpise you.
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