Louis Rees-Zammit: First season in NFL 'a learning year' after Jacksonville Jaguars position switch
Published 18/10/2024 at 18:43 GMT+1
Upon his return to London with the Jacksonville Jaguars, former Welsh rugby international Louis Rees-Zammit says he is using his first season in the NFL as a "learning year" after switching teams and positions. Rees-Zammit is back in the UK as part of the Jags' practice squad as they prepare to face the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Borthwick won’t rule out Mitchell involvement in Autumn Series but admits schedule is ‘tight’
Video credit: TNT Sports
Louis Rees-Zammit says he is using his debut season in the NFL as “a learning year” as he trains in London with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Although unlikely to feature in a regular season game this year, the ex-Gloucester winger moved Stateside to join the reigning Superbowl champions Kansas City Chiefs in the off-season before switching to the Jacksonville Jaguars upon his release.
The Welshman featured at running back and returned kick-offs and punts on special teams for the Chiefs in pre-season, but was released on the roster cutdown deadline as teams trimmed their season squads from 90 to 53 players.
Less than 24 hours after his release, Rees-Zammit signed for the Jaguars practice squad – a group of 17 reserve players that travel with the team – in the designated International Player Pathway Program.
“It was pretty quick — it was the same day, pretty much. When it didn’t work out with Kansas City, it was the same day that I flew to Jacksonville. It was within 24 hours that I left one team and went to another,” Rees-Zammit told The Times.
His arrival in Jacksonville has seen him switch positions to wide receiver, a move that could help his progress in the NFL.
“I’m taking this year, especially switching positions, as a learning year, just trying to get as much as I can under my belt at receiver,” Rees-Zammit said.
“If an opportunity arises, then as I said, I’m going to try to take it with both hands and get a place in the team. For now, as a practice-squad player, I’m just focused on giving our defence the best looks and also, whatever routes I’ve got to run, try to run them to the best of my ability and learn every day in the classroom with the receivers and with the receiver coaches, and special teams is massive as well.”
- New 20-minute red card to be trialled during Autumn Tests to 'enhance experience for fans'
- England to face Australia & USA as pools confirmed for 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
The 23-year-old is relishing his new role but holds no hard feelings towards the Chiefs for their use of his skills at running back or his eventual release from the team.
“I always wanted to play receiver, but because of how stacked that wide-receiver room was and how many people there were (at Kansas City), I probably didn’t get that opportunity. I don’t hate on that.
“I learnt the game at running back, and I enjoyed it, but ultimately it wasn’t the position for me. I feel much more comfortable at receiver here.”
Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement