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Louis Rees-Zammit reçoit des offres de trois franchises de la NFL
Louis Rees-Zammit réussira-t-il là où le Racingman (et futur joueur de Gloucester) Christian Wade a échoué ?
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L’ancienne superstar du Pays de Galles et des Lions (23 ans, 32 sélections), fait l’objet d’un bras de fer entre trois équipes de la NFL qui lui proposent environ 900 000 dollars par an pour s’engager dans leurs équipes d’entraînement d’été, selon RugbyPass.
Des stats impressionnantes
Rees-Zammit suit actuellement une formation accélérée de 10 semaines pour se préparer à jouer au football américain dans le cadre de l’IPP – l’International Player Pathway – un programme de détection des joueurs internationaux. Il a déjà reçu des offres avant que les recruteurs des 32 franchises de la NFL ne l’observent en action lors d’un Pro Day de la NFL.
Il a ainsi attiré l’attention sur lui à l’Université de Floride du Sud, réalisant un temps impressionnant de 4,44 secondes au sprint de 40 yards avant d’impressionner par ses techniques de jeu jambes lors de différents exercices.
Rees-Zammit pourrait être sélectionné pour jouer en tant que running back (pour ses qualités de course) ou wide receiver (pour ses qualités à la réception) ou même en tant que punt returner ou kick returner au terme de sa formation à la fin du mois.
Il n’aurait pas pu choisir un meilleur moment pour tenter de percer en Amérique car pour la première fois, les franchises de la NFL ont obtenu une place supplémentaire dans leurs équipes d’entraînement pour les joueurs issus de l’IPP.
« J’avais envie d’un nouveau défi »
« J’avais envie d’un nouveau défi, et quel meilleur défi que d’être dans la NFL ? », a expliqué Louis Rees-Zammit à CNN avant le Pro Day.
« Je m’entraîne très bien depuis sept ou huit semaines. Je pense que je suis en bonne position. Je me sens bien et je me sens en forme. Je veux juste montrer à tout le monde ce dont je suis capable.
« Ce n’est pas une question de lieu ou d’argent. Ce qui compte, c’est le projet que j’ai pour moi. Je veux faire partie d’une équipe qui a un projet. Je sais et ils savent que si nous suivons un bon plan, ils sauront où je vais aller à l’avenir. »
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Bien que son sprint de 40 yards de 4,44 secondes ne figure pas parmi les meilleurs temps enregistrés lors du combiné de cette année, il est plus rapide que la moyenne pour un running back ou un wide receiver de la promo de cette année, et plus rapide que Christian Wade, qui avait enregistré un dash de 4,53 secondes en 2019.
Une filière pour les non-américains
Lancé en 2017, l’IPP cherche à découvrir et à faire grandir des athlètes non américains, en leur offrant une opportunité unique de transition vers la NFL. Cette initiative a déjà connu un certain succès.
Quatre joueurs de rugby font partie de la promotion 2024. Outre Rees-Zammit, Harry Mallinder, Darragh Leader et George Smith ont tous pour objectif de se convertir au football américain.
Depuis sa création, 37 joueurs internationaux ont signé avec des équipes de la NFL – qu’ils aient été sélectionnés, repêchés ou qu’ils aient signé en individuel – et 18 athlètes de l’IPP sont actuellement inscrits sur les registres des franchises de la NFL.
Comments on RugbyPass
I reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the and Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
1 Go to commentsHaha did he always say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
37 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
122 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
6 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
122 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
37 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
6 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
122 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
37 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to comments