Former rugby standout has a chance to crack the Steelers roster in 2019

The Steelers signed former rugby star, Christian Scotland-Williamson to the practice squad last season. Why he has a chance to crack the 53-man roster in 2019.

Whether you are a Steelers fan or not, Christian Scotland-Williamson is probably not a name you are overly familiar with. The former rugby standout was part of the International Player Pathway Program to get players from other countries involved in the NFL.

But Scotland-Williamson has a chance to be more than just an international practice squad player for the Steelers.

The big rugby standout made the switch to tight end upon entering football. Though the two sports share some similarities, Scotland-Williamson still had a lot to learn. Now with a year of football under his belt, the London native has a chance to make his name known in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers lost Jesse James this offseason, and did little in the way of replacing him. They used a day three draft choice on Michigan tight end, Zach Gentry, but the former quarterback is still fairly new to the position.

Vance McDonald and Xavier Grimble are locks to make the roster in 2019. However, McDonald is often injured and hasn’t played a full season, while Grimble has just 6 starts since 2014.

This leaves the international tight end to battle for a final roster spot against the Steelers 5th round draft choice this year.

While Zach Gentry has a bit of an edge as a 22-year old rookie draft selection, Scotland-Williamson will have a chance to earn one of the final spots on the roster. Scotland-Williamson is a mammoth of a tight end – standing at 6’9” and weighing 274 pounds.

He was known for his physicality and tackling ability. An article from NFL.com had this to say about the big tight end convert:

"Converted to American football early in 2018 after a professional rugby career in England, where he played for the Worcester Warriors in the English Premiership. Playing as a second-row forward, he was known in rugby for his physicality and tackling ability and came to international prominence when a tackle in a game against London Wasps was shared widely on the Internet. He graduated from Loughborough University, one of the UK’s leading sports institutions, with a degree in economics."

Christian Scotland-Williamson is by no means a lock to make the roster this season, and being new to the game of football puts him at a disadvantage. However, there is no doubt he will get a chance to try to prove himself this August during preseason.

The big tight end possesses lots of upside with his rare blend of length and strength. We haven’t seen much of him yet. However, in his second season with the Steelers, perhaps he can put everything together en route to making the 53 man roster.

Watch Christian Scotland-William’s awe-inspiring story here: