To make it in the NFL, one normally has to play football for one’s entire life, be gifted genetically, find luck with good coaches and teammates, stay healthy, and perfect their skills in their position. Even then, the NFL is a long shot for most players.
Don’t tell that Louis Rees-Zammit. The former rugby star from Wales is trying to do something that most people wouldn’t think is possible – train and learn football for ten weeks and then get drafted into the NFL.
And he isn’t doing it alone.
International Player Pathway (IPP) Could Be the NFL’s Best Way to Grow the Brand
23-year-old Louis Rees-Zammit is part of the International Player Pathway (IPP) alongside 16 other players worldwide who will try to showcase their skills at the NFL Pro Days at the Univeristy of South Florida.
Since the IPP was established in 2017, 37 players have been picked up by teams, although most have signed UDFA deals and don’t normally last in the league. The most successful players have been defensive end Efe Obada from the Washington Commanders, and Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata.
This year, the NFL made some new rules to allow IPP players to be on the practice squad without taking up an official spot on the practice roster as well as allowing one IPP player on the final 53-man roster up to three times throughout a season without taking up a spot. Not to mention, the press and attention it brings a team is never a bad thing either. In other words, if there is a position that could use some depth and attention, going after an IPP player couldn’t hurt.
For players like Rees-Zammit, this could be the best way to bring the NFL to Wales. Wales isn’t a country big enough to host an NFL game anytime soon, but with the former rugby star now on his NFL journey, it could shine a spotlight on the country and help grow the league’s popularity.
Louis Rees-Zammit Has the Skillset to Succeed
As mentioned before, 16 athletes worldwide, including eight players from the United Kingdom, will compete today in the Pro Days in South Florida. However, it’s Louis Rees-Zammit who is getting the most headlines. The former wing played for the Wales National Team and was the youngest to play for the highest level of Rugby in Wales, the Premiership. He has had success scoring multiple try’s (think of it like a touchdown) and has the experience to face a big moment and shy away or shrink other pressure.
The Wales National Rugby team is ranked 10th in the world, but while Rees Zammit played, the team reached number two.
Rees-Zammit hopes to use his skills to play either running back or receiver. The wing position in rugby is sort of like playing a running back out of the I-formation with a pitch or playing a receiver on a jet sweep. Watching his film, he appears to have the physicality and speed to have a real shot in the NFL.
Get More NFL and College Football Content