NFL: Praise Olatoke swapping athletics for shot at American football

American football has grown exponentially in the UK over the past decade. Yet still, there are probably not many kids kicking about the playgrounds of Glasgow’s schools telling their pals they are going to play in the NFL one day.

Olatoke, on the other hand, told anyone who would listen.

“You could ask my friends in high school – I would tell them I’m going to play American football,” he says.

“I don’t know how, I don’t know where. It’s always been something since I was 15 I wanted to do. Now that the doors are open, I have to take it.

“It’s been a grind, honestly, but I can definitely see improvement. From day one, I could barely understand which players go where. Now I’m able to visualise play concepts, so I’m seeing a massive improvement.”

On Wednesday, Olatoke will put that improvement to the test when the IPP’s class of 2024 – which includes Wales rugby union superstar Louis Rees-Zammit – show their new skills in front of scouts from across the United States.