English Rugby Union Winger Travis Clayton Drafted by Buffalo Bills in NFL

English rugby union winger Travis Clayton made headlines as he was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the final round of the NFL Draft, despite never having played American football competitively. The 23-year-old, who currently plays for Basingstoke in the eighth tier of domestic rugby, was the 221st overall pick in the seventh round in Detroit.

Clayton, who stands at an impressive 6ft 7in, is expected to make the transition to playing as an offensive lineman in the NFL. His speed and agility were on full display during the NFL Combine, where he completed the 40-yard dash in an impressive 4.79 seconds, the fastest time recorded by the Bills for an offensive lineman in the past decade.

The talented athlete’s journey to the NFL was made possible through the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme, which aims to discover players from outside the United States who have the potential to excel in American football. This year, all 32 NFL teams will have an additional place in their practice squads specifically for international players, giving players like Clayton the opportunity to showcase their skills at the highest level.

Basingstoke coach Richard Cheetham praised Clayton’s transition to American football, describing it as “extraordinary” and highlighting his physicality and agility on the field. Despite his gentle demeanor off the pitch, Clayton has proven to be a force to be reckoned with on the field, impressing both his coaches and teammates with his performance.

As Clayton embarks on this new chapter in his athletic career, all eyes will be on him as he looks to make a name for himself in the NFL and prove that he has what it takes to succeed in a new sport at the highest level.