With the Six Nations just around the corner, Louis Rees-Zammit's move to the NFL has come as a massive surprise in the rugby world. Hoping he goes over and smashes it! #WalesRugby #Rugby #LouisReesZammit #NFL
Judging by his size and speed he’ll probably play wide receiver or maybe safety(doubtful), but he’ll likely have to beef up a bit since he’s apparently under 200lbs and you take some vicious hits as a skill position player. He could play kicker or punter like a lot of rugby/AFL guys do when they try their hand at the NFL, but correct me if I’m wrong when I say he seems to be far too gifted athletically for that, and his talents would be wasted as a kicker or punter who goes on the field a handful of times per game. I don’t know much about professional rugby pay, but NFL kickers/punters usually make a few million a year for not much work, so it could just be a money thing as well. As an American who’s only recently made rugby his favorite sport this past year, I don’t know much about individual players yet but I’ll say that the NFL is going to be a tough league to break into. Almost every one of our 50 states has dozens of top tier college football programs chock full of the best athletes in the country who have been playing football since they were in grade school. Football absolutely dominates the US in terms of sports, which is why our rugby scene is so lackluster. Almost all of our best athletes for rugby are playing football. People here routinely dedicate their entire lives and risk their entire future for the tiniest fraction of a chance at just touching an NFL roster. Then again, I am of the opinion that rugby is more physically demanding and tough than football, even though football is more dangerous, so maybe the fact that he has played high level rugby will allow him to do well in a less physically demanding sport regardless of experience level. I’m curious to see how it pans out and hope he does well, but in all honesty I’m a bit skeptical because it’s a lot to learn and he’s got to compete with a lot of super talented players for a roster spot. There are 32 teams with 53 roster spots a piece and those teams draw from a staggeringly massive talent pool, only taking the absolute best. I wish him luck.
Gatland recently said he’s 100kg. “We know what an athlete he is and how quick he is. And he’s definitely not small; even with that speed he’s 100kg and physical”. Not sure I agree that he’s physical, his defence can be a bit lacking, but that might suit the NFL where they have a team for offence and a team for defence.
He's up against it but he's only 22 so can easy put on another 10/15kg if needed. He's great catching at speed and he's been clocked at 24mph in the last world cup. 2 mph faster than the quickest player in NFL last season apparently. Yes I know you can probably knock off that 2mph when helmet and pads are involved but he has all the attributes to have a chance
@@alunmorgan2352 If there’s any international athletes out there who can make the cut, it’s rugby players and he’s proven he can play rugby with the best of them. Like I said, I hope he does well and will keep an eye out for him in the coming NFL seasons.
No player will make it in the NFL. There’s far too many Americans who have been playing for longer. They are bigger, faster, more desperate and don’t need to learn the game from scratch. This is a stupid move by Louis, he will be back within two years, and there’s nobody else who could cope in the NFL either !!
There have been rugby players who have successfully transitioned to football, but not many. Jordan Mailata is one that stands out to me as a big success story as he’s one of the best tackles in the NFL, although he played rugby league which is a little more similar to football, so take from that what you will.
@@Smithy-i8y No doubt. I made a comment of my own earlier echoing essentially the same thing you said in regards to how difficult it will be for him, as I’m American and have seen the talent level in the NFL firsthand. I just wanted to add that it is possible and has been done before, even if rarely.
