Rafael Blakstad begins by detailing the intricacies of skinny post routes and the fine margins that make or break a 5-yard hitch. Sorry to break this to you, Rafa. But you’re hooked. And once football has you, it will never let you go.
He emerges as one of the NFL Academy’s newest athletes and aspiring college stars, armed with the broad arms of a dunking basketball player, the diminutive stature of a talented rugby prospect, and the tactical charm of a willing football disciple. Meet coach Steve Hagen’s new vertical wide receiver threat.
While Emmanuel Okoye continues to develop at Tennessee and Daniel Akinkunmi learns the ropes at Oklahoma, two signs of academy success, Blakstad is beginning his journey as the academy prepares to face California high school De La Salle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday . night.
Football was never the plan. Suddenly it feels like a dream.
Blakstad is scheduled to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.
“It was purely coincidental and serendipitous. I actually came to Loughborough for a rugby match. I played for Saracens and was also an England academy player, so Loughborough is one of the best rugby schools and I wanted to come to the union.” .
“I was actually lost and I happened to run into Lamonte Wilson and asked him where something was, and he said, ‘Are you playing football?’
“That kind of triggered this switch. I came down for a session or two and was at home clueless one evening when I got a call from Louis Rees-Zammit. It was amazing. He’s literally my favorite rugby player. “He achieved a lot in his career at a very young age.”
Rees-Zammit is currently a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad after withdrawing from Wales rugby on the eve of the Six Nations to participate in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program earlier this year.
The former Gloucester wing initially signed with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and headed to Jacksonville. He is scheduled to travel to England this week as the Jags prepare for back-to-back games in London.
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Former Welsh rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit played in four different positions on his Kansas City Chiefs debut!
“Obviously I heard about his transfer and stuff like that and our coach Steve Hagen was coaching IPP,” Blakstad continued. “It was great to be able to chat to him for 15 or 20 minutes. I was a bit hesitant about switching because the rugby was going so well so I was able to ask him.
“There were fundamental similarities between the two of us. He was obviously at a much higher level than me, but in terms of making the transition and getting back to square one.
“But ultimately, the opportunities are endless and I talked to him and decided, ‘Yes, that’s what I want to do,’ and the rest is history.”
Blakstad said many people were curious about Rees-Zammit’s decision to leave rugby. As one of the sport’s most explosive talents, he has the world at his feet, so why risk it all? This is the NFL in a nutshell.
“He told me that if he had the chance to get into an academy when he was my age, even if he knew he could achieve everything he could later in rugby, he would still give it all up,” he said.
“Hearing those words from one of your idols made me realize I couldn’t pass up this opportunity, because this is obviously a big deal. And if he’s willing to give up everything he’s achieved, see if he can give it a try. Do the work, why not?”
Rees-Zammit traveled to the United States with all the physical attributes to pursue his career in football before ever being introduced to the intricacies of the NFL playbook. Ask any IPP product or existing NFL academy prospect and they will all admit that learning, understanding and absorbing the X and Os of football play defines their role.
Blakstad accepted the challenge of burying his head in film studies.
“Every aspect of learning the route and how to do different kinds of tasks is ultimately very important,” he said. “But if you don’t know the playbook, if you don’t know the plays, if you don’t know the concepts and all that, you’re lost.
“Obviously rugby is a freer game. There are structures in it that allow you the freedom to do certain things, whereas in football there are certain routes. If you have a five-yard hitch, you can go five yards. If the posts are skinny, you have to be skinny.
“Spending time on film is so different, but you feel like you’re constantly learning. I love the feeling of not being able to escape and having to fall behind and compete with the American boys.”
Since arriving at Loughborough, the rugby convert has worked closely with academy head of football Kris Durham to pick the brains of former NFL wide receivers. Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2011, the 6-foot-5 Durham has become a welcome reference point for Blakstad as he looks to utilize his height advantage and get to the perimeter.
“Obviously we’re taller, so it’s important to know how to lengthen your stride, deal with blind spots and use your size and arm range to jam and pivot around defenders,” he said. “It was important.”
Along with the challenge of adapting to an alien sport, came the fun of discovering his own identity as a wide receiver. Blakstad knows he can’t be Tyreek Hill and instead gives the foundation of his game to someone like Randy Moss.
“I really liked it,” he continues. “It’s almost like finding what makes you you and what makes you different.
“I don’t see releases like Tyreek Hill or anything like that, but the way they attack the ball or create space is completely different than Randy Moss.
“There’s a basic package to being a receiver, but it’s about realizing that you have your own personality and that one of your strengths is a strength and learning how to utilize that.”
Blakstad is one of the newest group of NFL academy stars.
The Academy continues to serve as one of the NFL’s invaluable assets for its international expansion, uniting players from all walks of life while providing a historic and unprecedented path to opportunity in college football. There was little need for Blakstad or his family to sell.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t explore it and see what it was.”
The bright lights of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium await on Tuesday evening. Friends, family and English football fans descended on Sunday to see the academy set foot on the same stadium decorated by Justin Jefferson and Aaron Rodgers.
“I can’t believe I’m even saying this,” he said. “When I first got hired, I was invited to this game last year to watch, so it was pretty full circle.
“It was my first real glimpse of football and the academy on this incredible stage – it was jaw-dropping.
“It’s an unbelievable opportunity. I’m from London so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of people come see it.”
Watch the NFL Academy’s De La Salle match from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium live on YouTube on Tuesday October 8 from 5.30pm.
