- Former Wales rugby star Rees-Zammit signed for the Kansas City Chiefs last month.
- Clayton also participated in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
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The Buffalo Bills took a leaf out of Kansas City’s book by selecting former English rugby player Travis Clayton with the 221st overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Almost a month since the Chiefs handed former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit a three-year contract at Arrowhead, the Bills opted to select Clayton in the seventh and final round of this year’s draft, which It caused scenes of joy among his friends and family. back home in the southern English town of Basingstoke.
In a clip released by the NFL, the 6-foot-7 prospect’s inner circle can be seen celebrating wildly as he takes the stage at the draft to officially join Buffalo.
Clayton, who is expected to play offensive lineman, has never played football competitively despite joining the NFL Academy in 2019.
He was eligible to be drafted after participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, which allows potential stars from overseas to impress scouts during the offseason.
Former English rugby player Travis Clayton was selected by the Bills in the NFL Draft
Clayton, who participated in the NFL’s International Player Program, was selected 221st overall by Buffalo.
He has followed in the footsteps of former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, who signed for the Kansas City Chiefs last month.
Rees-Zammit also participated in the IPP, but because he is more than four years out of high school, the Chiefs were able to sign him directly instead of waiting for the draft.
Meanwhile, Clayton is currently in his fourth year out of high school, meaning the Bills were only able to select him in the draft.
At 303 pounds, the Brit displayed plenty of athletic ability during his short rugby career before clearly beating Buffalo’s scouts in the IPP.
Several players have made the transition from rugby to football over the years, including current Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata.
As well as rugby, Clayton has tried boxing, football, rowing, skeleton and tennis.
He was present at the draft in Detroit to hear his name announced.
Clayton believes his short rugby experience will serve him well in the NFL.
As a graduate of the Pathway program, Clayton will not count against Buffalo’s roster if he fails to make the cut.
“I think the fact that rugby is also a team sport helps enormously, the knowledge of my team and what it takes to communicate properly here and in the future, hopefully in the NFL,” he said of his transition to football .
“The most important thing is that playing full-back in rugby helps with physicality and agility, and things like that will help.”