Travis Clayton, a former rugby player from Basingstoke, has been drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, highlighting the cross-sport transition and the reach of the NFL’s international player pathway program.
In an event that underscores the expanding bridge between rugby and American football, former eighth-tier rugby player Travis Clayton has been drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 2024 NFL draft. Previously unacquainted with American football, the 23-year-old from Basingstoke was selected as an offensive lineman due to the NFL’s international player pathway program. At 6ft 7in, Clayton had been an active rugby player for Basingstoke in the Counties 2 Hampshire Division.
During the draft combine, Clayton distinguished himself, recording a 40-yard dash time of 4.79 seconds, marking the fastest time for an offensive lineman over the past ten years, as noted by the Bills. His selection follows the recent trend of rugby players transitioning to the NFL, exemplified by former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit’s signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Expressing his gratitude on social media, Clayton thanked his UK fans for their support and voiced his enthusiasm for representing British athletes in the NFL. This development not only highlights the potential for UK athletes in American football but also the effective reach of the NFL’s initiatives to integrate international talent into the league.
