At the start of the year Wales and British and Irish Lions winger Louis Rees-Zammit made the switch from rugby to NFL.
He has yet to make a breakthrough and play a game, but he is working towards it, hinting on social media just last week that he was getting closer.
Australian international Jordan Petaia has also decided to make the switch, confirming last week that, "It feels like the right time in my career to pursue this dream I've had for a long time."
The move of players from Rugby to NFL is not a new one - it has been going on for years and it is something that has long intrigued fans of both sports. Let's take a look at a few notable players who have made the switch, and most importantly, let's see if there is anyone who has managed to transition successfully.
1. Christian Wade
Former England winger Christian Wade is one of the most talked-about crossovers.
After a stellar rugby career with Wasps, he joined the Buffalo Bills in 2019 as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program. Wade made an immediate splash, scoring a stunning 65-yard touchdown in his first preseason game.
However, despite his promise, he never played a regular-season NFL game and returned to rugby in 2022 where he now plays for Gloucester.
Kin Cheung - WPA Pool / Getty Images
2. Hayden Smith
The Australian-born lock made a name for himself with Saracens in the English Premiership before switching to the NFL.
Smith joined the New York Jets in 2012 as a tight end, playing five games. Despite his athleticism, his lack of football experience limited his impact, and he returned to rugby soon after.
It is probably fair to say that for Smith it was a more obvious transition to NFL given that he had only started to play rugby while studying in the USA.
His talents secured him an academy deal with Saracens and when he played Test matches he played for the USA.
3. Daniel Adongo
Kenyan-born Daniel Adongo was an imposing specimen of a man standing at 1.96m tall.
Having played age-group rugby for Kenya he moved to South Africa and played for the Sharks, the Bulls and the EP Kings.
He also had a stint in New Zealand with Counties Manukau. It's fair to say that he never really established himself at any of these teams and he ended up making the move to NFL where he signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2013, initially as a linebacker. A
dongo's size and athleticism were his biggest assets, but like many before him, the steep learning curve of football cut his NFL career short.
4. Naas Botha
A legend of South African rugby, Naas Botha made a brief foray into American football in the 1980s.
Known for his exceptional kicking, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a placekicker. Although he didn’t make the final roster, Botha’s attempt highlighted the potential overlap between rugby and NFL skill sets.
Botha’s attempt to make it in America was partly fuelled by South Africa’s isolation from Test rugby at the time due to their Apartheid policies.
With no opportunity to play international rugby Botha looked to broaden his horizons.
5. Christian Scotland-Williamson
A former Worcester Warriors lock, Christian Scotland-Williamson joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018, once again through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.
With his towering frame and physicality, he trained as a tight end but did not make it onto the active roster for regular-season games.
Like so many before him he returned to rugby signing to play for Harlequins. It didn't last long though and after just two appearances for the Twickenham Stoop side he retired.
6. Jordan Mailata
Perhaps the most successful rugby-to-NFL transition, Jordan Mailata is a standout case.
Importantly, he was a Rugby League star and not a Union player. The Australian of Samoan heritage was a promising rugby league player before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018.
Now a starting left tackle, Mailata has become a cornerstone of the Eagles' offensive line, signing a four-year contract extension worth $64 million in 2021. His success highlights how size, athleticism, and determination can bridge the gap between the two sports.
Why do so few players succeed?
While rugby and NFL both require elite athleticism, the specific skills differ significantly.
NFL positions demand specialised techniques, honed from a young age, making late transitions challenging.
Despite this, players like Rees-Zammit and Petaia continue to chase their NFL dreams, and good luck to them.
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