Fullback is back on the menu for Chiefs with ex-Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit visiting Kansas City
The 2023 NFL season was the first in Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid's career where he didn't carry a fullback on his 53-man roster. The fullback could be back on the menu for Big Red with an upcoming visit with an intriguing international player. As first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, former Welsh […]
The 2023 NFL season was the first in Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid's career where he didn't carry a fullback on his 53-man roster. The fullback could be back on the menu for Big Red with an upcoming visit with an intriguing international player.
As first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, former Welsh Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit is set to visit Kansas City on Tuesday. He played for Gloucester from 2018-2024, becoming their youngest player in club history at 18 years old. Now, 23, Rees-Zammit is one of 15 athletes from around the globe participating in the NFL International Player Pathway program this year.
The Chiefs saw Reez-Zammit's athletic testing at USF's pro day last week, which doubled as the International Player Pathway Combine. The team promptly scheduled a visit with Rees-Zammit after his performance.
How did Louis Rees-Zammit perform at the International Player Pathway combine?
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Rees-Zammit posted 40-yard dash attempts at 4.5s and 4.43s. Nicknamed "Rees-Lightning" for the speed displayed on the Rugby pitch, the Welshman wasn't too pleased with his posted times, even though his second 40-yard dash would have ranked fifth among running backs at the NFL Scouting Combine this year.
"A bit disappointed in my 40," Rees-Zammit said, via the Associated Press. "Last week, I was getting some really good times. I was getting low 4.3s, high 4.2s. So it is what it is. It's just what happens on the day. But I know I can run that fast. I'm not trying to make excuses or anything, but I know what I can do and I'm happy with the day and how the day went."
Rees-Zammit's position at the NFL level is up for debate. Some envision him as a wide receiver, others a running back, and even a return specialist. In Kansas City, fullback would be his likely landing spot.
"I'm pretty happy with how I ran my routes, just about how fluid I could be, how I could show off my change of direction, how I can get in and out of breaks," Rees-zammit said. "I think there are a lot of transferable skills. In rugby, you're always trying to get your hands on the ball as much as often and you're always trying to break defenses, look for spaces, be aware.
"Catching kickoffs, catch and kick receipts, punt receipts, there's a lot of transferable skills, and I think running back shows up probably best, getting the ball in my hand early, being able to pick a gap, being able to be aware of the surroundings."
How does the NFL's international player exemption work in 2024?
In past years only select teams could have an international player exemption on the practice squad. That was allocated on a rotating basis among divisions. This year, all 32 NFL teams will be able to have a training camp roster exemption for qualifying international players. They'll also all have a 17th spot on the practice squad specifically available for an international player. Chiefs fans are probably familiar with this process after having OT Jason "Chu" Godrick on the practice squad throughout the 2023 NFL season. Another difference in the rules this year will surround practice squad elevations. Teams can elevate international players from the practice squad up to three times throughout the season, which will provide them a chance to further develop and learn the game. That's useful for many international players who haven't played much in the way of organized football, let alone played at a level as competitive as the NFL.
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