Australian schoolboys sensation and Club Roar alumni Thomas Yassmin is set to make the switch to American football after being scouted by the University of Utah.
Yassmin, who played for Sydney’s Scots College, was one of the standouts in last year’s GPS competition.
The 18-year-old has never played a game of American football in his life.
His American football inexperience didn’t seem to alarm scouts from the University of Utah with defensive line coach Lewis Powell commenting on his raw athleticism.
“Somebody running that fast and tackling – being that physical at that size is the reason why we’re bringing him into the squad,” Powell said.
Yassmin is likely to get his first run for the ‘Utes’ at tight end after dominating on the wing for Scots’ 1st XV in 2017.
Powell has attested Yassmin will try different positions across the field.
“We’ll try him out at different spots. Wherever he fits in best we’ll put him in there. He for sure has all the ability – he’s tough, he can run, he can tackle.”
Standing at 195cm and weighing 110kg, Yassmin will have to learn as he goes in one of the toughest sports in the world.
The opportunity to play college football in Pac-12 wasn’t the only lure for Yassmin who is looking to hit the books as well, praising their business and math department.
Yassmin has stated he is preparing to learn the playbook and jargon of American football.
“They bloody name plays after combinations of fruits and colours”, he told Fox Sports.
“It’s learning that, then also if they call an audible, knowing what the audible is. Hearing it, seeing it. I think that’s gonna be the hardest bit.”
Utah weren’t alone in pursuing the winger-come-tight end with the University of Hawaii initially scouting him after the 2016 Sydney Cup against California while Oregon, Washington and Chip Kelly’s UCLA also expressed interest.
He certainly isn’t the first to convert from the rugby codes to American football. Fellow Scots alumni and 1981 Australian Schoolboys player Colin Scotts was scouted by Hawaii before graduating to the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals at defensive end.
Jarryd Hayne is the most recent rugby player to make the switch to the NFL after infamously leaving the NRL to pursue his dream with the San Francisco 49ers, cut after playing only eight games.
Utah has the second highest draft rate in the NFL. Notable Utah alumni include Hall of Fame member Larry Wilson, Pro Bowl tight end Bob Trumpy, former Panthers and Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and current Chiefs starting quarterback Alex Smith.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
It was a memorable night in more ways than one for the Queensland forward.
The youngster was playing his first Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench, but his game wasn't the main talking point after the game.
Is this a sign that rugby laws are getting too tricky, even for the players and commentators?
The kick of around 50 metres got the Reds well downfield!
Wallaby Jordie Petaia is in doubt for the rest of the Super Rugby season, and potentially Australia's Test series against Wales, after suffering a…
The Reds centre had to leave the field to get the shoulder popped in, with fears he will need several weeks on the sideline…
