ouis Rees-Zammit has only been on the path to NFL stardom for the best part of two months, but the former Wales rugby player may have several teams to choose from ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
In January, Rees-Zammit made the surprise announcement that he was stepping away from rugby to try his luck at landing a contract with an NFL team.
The 23-year-old dropped the bombshell shortly before the Wales squad was named, with head coach Warren Gatland admitting the news came as “a bit of a shock”.
His club Gloucester agreed to release him, and he subsequently joined the NFL’s international player pathway program, making him eligible for the 2024 Draft.
Aside from transfers to rugby league, few international players have quit rugby union to play another sport in the same manner as Rees-Zammit. But after flying out to Florida, Rees-Zammit is already making an impression as one of ‘the more popular players’ on the program.
The NFL’s UK account on X, formerly Twitter, confirmed he will visit Super Bowl LVIII winners Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos as he weighs up launching his NFL career for the 2024 season. He has already met with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, but the Chiefs may hold the biggest appeal after winning the Super Bowl in each of the last two seasons.
Is Rees-Zammit be suited to NFL?
Born in Wales in February 2001, Louis Rees-Zammit is former Wales rugby player with 32 caps for his country. He previously played for English top-flight side Gloucester and was already considered one of the sport’s rising stars on the international scene.
He began his professional career at the age of 18, making his first-team debut for Gloucester after coming through their academy. His muscular frame and blistering pace made him a prized asset for Wales, and it is his top speed which means he will be ideal for the world of American Football.
It is likely that he would fill the position for a running back or wide receiver, given his aerial ability and tremendous speed. He has been clocked running at 24mph in a game, and was similarly rapid in the 40-yard rush.
Unlike many rugby stars, such as a fly half, Rees-Zammit does not kick and won’t be considerable for special teams as a kicker as a result.