The Denver Broncos hosted Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit on a free agent visit Monday, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rees-Zammit (6-3, 194 pounds) played for Gloucester Rugby, a club team in England, from 2018-2024, scoring 190 points in 69 games. He has also played for Wales’ national rugby team since 2020, scoring 70 points in 31 games.
After playing as a wing and fullback in rugby, the 23-year-old athlete now hopes to play in the NFL as a running back/wide receiver/returner.
Before his visit with the Broncos, Rees-Zammit had previous visits with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. He’s also scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs.
At the University of South Florida’s pro day last week, Rees-Zammit ran an unofficial 4.44-second 40-yard dash. He spent 10 weeks training at the IMG Academy in Florida leading up to USF’s pro day.
Rees-Zammit isn’t the first player to attempt switching from rugby to the NFL.
Hayden Smith spent time with the New York Jets from 2012-13. Daniel Adongo spent three years with the Indianapolis Colts from 2013-15.
“I think there are a lot of transferable skills,” Rees-Zammit said in an interview with the Associated Press‘ Rob Maaddi last week. “In rugby, you’re always trying to get your hands on the ball as much as often and you’re always trying to break defenses, look for spaces, be aware.
“Catching kickoffs, catch and kick receipts, punt receipts, there’s a lot of transferable skills, and I think running back shows up probably best, getting the ball in my hand early, being able to pick a gap, being able to be aware of the surroundings.”
Alex Gray spent time with the Atlanta Falcons from 2017-2019, but he never made their active roster. Christian Wade turned heads with the Buffalo Bills during preseason in 2019 and Christian Scotland-Williamson competed with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2018-20, but neither made an active roster.
Those were rugby union players. Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata was a rugby league player in Australia before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. He has started 57 games in Philly since 2020.
Although he played a different version of rugby, Mailata could give hope to Rees-Zammit that a transition to American football is feasible.
NFL teams will have a 17th spot on the practice squad this season specifically designated for an international player, and teams can carry an extra international player on the roster during training camp (91 total).
Last spring, the Broncos were allocated defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway. Ndubuisi spent last season on Denver’s practice squad, but he is no longer listed on the roster on the team’s official website.
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