Travis Clayton grew up in England and, like most big, strong British kids, played rugby as an outlet for his aggression. But even though he’s never played an organized football game in his life, he says he always saw himself making it to the NFL.
Clayton, a Bills seventh-round pick who projects as an offensive tackle, said football is his long-term goal.
“I always dreamed of playing in the NFLso getting my name called was just the main goal, that’s exactly what I wanted,” Clayton said, via WGRZ.
Clayton said there are many international athletes who would love to play in the biggest sports league in the world.
“I think it just shows that there is talent all over the world, not just in England/UK, and that the NFL has grown enormously. . . It basically shows that if you have played previous sports and can bring these skills together, you can play in the NFL. It’s possible,” Clayton said.
At 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, Clayton has the size and mentality to be an NFL offensive lineman.
“I love the physical side of things, being an offensive lineman, being able to take your anger out on people legally is great, and I can just use my strength and my skills,” Clayton said.
Clayton remembers Jordan Mailata, who was also a seventh-round pick, having only played rugby, not football, and is now the Eagles’ starting left back. The Bills think Clayton can develop into that type of player.
