A historic night for the International Player Pathway program
Oh what a night!
Despite day three of the NFL Draft historically serving up late-round gems such as Puka Nacua and Brock Purdy, I cannot admit to watching every single pick on the final night in previous years.
But I was glued to the action from Detroit on Saturday and it was incredible to witness some historic and emotional moments for the International Player Pathway program as offensive linemen Travis Clayton (United Kingdom) and Bayron Matos (Dominican Republic) found their way to the NFL.
After a long and what was sure to be an exciting but nervous wait, Clayton received the phone call he had been working towards throughout the IPP camp in Florida this winter. After ending the call, Clayton said: "I'm going to Buffalo!"
And then Clayton was mobbed by fellow IPP signees in Irish kicker Charlie Smythe (New Orleans Saints), Australian tight end Patrick Murtagh (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Welsh receiver/running back Louis Rees-Zammit (Kansas City Chiefs). All had flown in from their respective teams and were in Detroit to support and cheer on their IPP brothers, indicating how quickly this group of elite athletes – and their coaches – had become a football family forever linked as the Class of 2024.
Former NFL offensive lineman Kevin Boothe took to the stage and announced that Clayton – a former NFL Academy graduate from Basingstoke – was the 221st selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Goosebumps!
It felt historic as Travis marched down the same corridor walked by first overall pick Caleb Williams two days earlier. The talented multi-sport 22-year-old who has tried his hand at rugby, rowing and even the skeleton before turning his attention to the gridiron draped the union flag over his shoulders and became the first Brit to be
Read on nfl.com
