| biloxi-indian |
02-03-2012 04:39 PM |
Rugby player in for a tryout with the Saints....
Hayden Smith, a front liner for the Saracens, is hitting the tryout circuit as a handful of NFL clubs line up to take a close look at the 6-6, 265-pounder. Smith, who had a workout for the New York Jets on Tuesday, will work out for the New Orleans Saints today.
Not everyone is sure what position matches Smith’s ability best, but the Australian-born 26-year-old played college basketball in the U.S. He has 9.2 percent body fat and has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.75 to 4.82 seconds. He’s got long arms and good lateral quickness, the kind of tools necessary to make the move from the pitch to the gridiron.
In just three short years, Smith has just scratched the surface of where his size and athletic ability can take him.
With similar physical traits and measurements to Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots, tight end may be the position that makes the most sense for Smith. Some have talked about looking at him as a pass rusher and perhaps as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. His large hands are soft and he is known for having good ball handling skills for rugby.
Emerging rugby star Hayden Smith hoping to make jump to NFL | National Football Post |
