Louis Rees-Zammit: Former Wales wing eyes hybrid NFL running back and wide receiver role
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Louis Rees-Zammit gave up his contract with Gloucester and an upcoming Six Nations tournament with Wales for an NFL development opportunity
Former Wales rugby wing Louis Rees-Zammit is targeting a hybrid role in the NFL, combining the running back and wide receiver positions.
The 22-year-old has joined the NFL's international player pathway (IPP) with the aim of securing a place on an American football team in 2024.
His speed and pass catching ability made wide receiver a likely role, but he has added ambitions.
"I would love to return kicks," said Rees-Zammit.
"That is something I love to do in rugby. In terms of a position, in rugby I want the ball at all times.
"So, I think it would be somewhere on the offense, running back, receiver, a bit of a hybrid. Whatever I get told, I will do.
"This couldn't have come at a better time for me, especially as I'm pretty much the same age as players coming out of college so I have time to learn the game and learn those skills."
While the wide receivers and running backs make up two of the key positions on offence in the NFL, the size and shape of players in the two roles tends to be quite different.
Typically wide receivers are taller than running backs, with NFL teams more interested in drafting sturdier running backs with a low centre of gravity.
Rees-Zammit's targeted hybrid role is one played by very few players in the NFL, however there are some who do so at the highest level.
San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel is one of the best current hybrid players in the NFL.
The 28-year-old made 60 catches during the 2023 regular season while also adding 37 rushing attempts as a running back, totalling 12 touchdowns in the process.
Cordarlle Patterson, Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel are three others who have excelled in the hybrid role in the NFL in recent years.
The biggest hurdle facing Rees-Zammit is going to be his understanding of the sport, which the majority of players in the NFL have been playing since they were young children.
Rees-Zammit move 'a bit of a rollercoaster' - Wales boss Gatland
But stepping into this new venture, Rees-Zammit has compared his excitement for the challenge ahead to that of "a little child".
"I still can't believe this is happening," he said.
"I literally feel like a little kid. I just never thought this day would come, but I'm so happy that it has.
"I have never played the game so it's going to be very difficult for me at the start.
"There's going to be a lot of me watching film and certain plays. That's going to be the biggest challenge.
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"There are going to be a lot of different skills but, at the same time, I can improve on what I've got already.
"The quicker I can learn the game, the better for me because then I can show everyone what I can do."
The 16 participants in this year's IPP programme consist of nine athletes from the UK and Republic of Ireland, including former Northampton and England Under-20s back Harry Mallinder.
After travelling to Florida for a training camp, the aspiring athletes will be put through their paces in front of NFL scouts at the combine at Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis from Sunday, 3 March, 2024.
Rees-Zammit insisted he would not shirk on the hard work.
"I'm ready to work hard for 10 weeks and, fingers crossed, we can see what happens when I come out the other end," he said.
"I know it's going to be very intense and it's going to be very difficult, but I'm prepared for that and I'm determined to make this happen and make this dream a reality
"My main attribute in rugby was my speed and that's very transferable. I would like to say I have good hands and I don't drop the ball that often.
"But this is a different sport and the ball comes at you very fast, so I understand that's going to take a bit of work. There are a lot of footwork skills I have and footwork is massive in American football."
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