Despite going through life with no interest in American football, Coventry’s giant forward George Smith has decided to enter the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme in the hope of making a roster for the 2024 season.
Christian Wade, Alex Gray and Christian Scotland-Williamson have all attempted it in previous years.
The 16 participants in this year’s IPP programme also includes former Northampton and England U20s back Harry Mallinder, below. Mallinder, 27, played for Saints from 2013 to 2021 before switching to Black Rams Tokyo.
The versatile back, who could play fly-half, centre and full-back, is entering the pathway as a kicker and punter.
While Rees-Zammit described reaching the NFL as a ‘lifelong dream’, his British compatriot Smith knew very little about the sport before being cherry picked by head of IPP James Cook six months ago.
An aspiring right or left tackle, Smith possesses a towering frame of 6ft 9ins and was just over 19 stone while playing in Coventry’s second row this season. However, with heft a premium in the offensive line that weight has shot up to almost 22st in the build up to his gridiron adventure.
Smith flew out on Thursday to Bradenton, Florida as he spends 10 weeks at IMG Academy before playing in front of a team of scouts at a pro day held at the University of South Florida ahead of the NFL Draft.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
