NFL Draft 2024: Former England rugby player Travis Clayton is selected by the Buffalo Bills as he follows in the footsteps of Louis Rees-Zammit… sparking crazy scenes between friends and family in the UK

The Buffalo Bills took a leaf out of Kansas City’s book by selecting former England rugby player Travis Clayton with the 221st overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Nearly a month after the Chiefs signed former Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit to a three-year contract with Arrowhead, the Bills chose to draft Clayton in the seventh and final round of this year’s draft, which sparked scenes of jubilation among his friends and family. back home in Basingstoke in the south of England.

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 as an offensive lineman, has never played American football competitively although he joined the NFL Academy in 2019.

He was eligible to be chosen in the draft after participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, which allows potential stars from overseas to impress scouts during the offseason.

Former England rugby player Travis Clayton was selected by the Bills in the NFL draft.

Clayton, who participated in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, was selected 221st overall by Buffalo.

He followed in the footsteps of former Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, who signed for the Kansas City Chiefs last month.

Rees-Zammit also competed in the IPP, but because he was more than four years out of high school, the Chiefs were able to sign him outright instead of waiting until the draft.

Clayton, meanwhile, is currently in his fourth year of high school, meaning the Bills were only able to select him in the draft.

Weighing 303 pounds, the Briton displayed plenty of athletic ability during his short rugby career before clearly winning over Buffalo’s scouts at the IPP.

Several players have made the transition from rugby to football over the years, including current Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata.

Besides rugby, Clayton tried boxing, football, rowing, skeleton and tennis.

He was at the draft in Detroit to hear his name announced.

Clayton believes his short-lived rugby experience will stand him in good stead in the NFL

As a graduate of the pathway program, Clayton will not count on Buffalo’s roster if he fails to qualify.

“Rugby also being a team sport, I think that helps me tremendously, my knowledge of the team and what it takes to communicate properly here and in the future, hopefully in the NFL ” he said of his transition to football.

“Most importantly, playing on the wing in rugby helps with the physical side and with agility and things like that will help.”