London
If Seydou Traore hears his name called in this week’s NFL Draft, it will crown an unlikely journey from the soccer pitches of South London to the world’s biggest stage. The 23-year-old once dreamed of becoming a Premier League goalkeeper before switching paths as a teenager. Now, the Mississippi State tight end stands as one of the most exciting prospects in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
Traore, who stands 6ft 5in tall, credits his soccer background for his success on the gridiron. He believes the hand-eye coordination and ball-tracking skills he learned as a keeper translate perfectly to catching passes. After moving to the U.S. in 2019, he excelled at Arkansas State and Mississippi State, finishing his college career with 10 touchdowns. His impressive athleticism has now put him on the radar of all 32 NFL franchises.
The three-day draft in Pittsburgh is a high-stakes event, but Traore remains remarkably calm. “The tape is out there, the numbers are out there,” he told reporters. “Now it’s just what an organization thinks of me.” He is attending the event alongside other international hopefuls, including athletes from Nigeria, Kenya, and Japan, all hoping to secure one of the 257 available draft spots.
Traore hopes to follow in the footsteps of British NFL pioneers like Efe Obada. He believes there is “ridiculous” untapped talent back in London that could excel in American football if given the right exposure. As he waits for the call that could change his life, Traore remains proud of his roots and ready for whatever the future holds.
