British-born American football star selected by Miami Dolphins in NFL Draft

Lewis Henderson
Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:04:03 +0000

British-born American football star Seydou Traore has made history by being selected by the Miami Dolphins in the NFL Draft.

Traore has become the first product of the UK-based NFL Academy to hear his name called during the draft.

The Dolphins selected the tight end at pick 180.

The 23-year-old, who grew up in the capital and represented the London Warriors during his teenage years, brings French-Algerian and Ivorian heritage to his groundbreaking achievement.

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His selection marks a significant milestone for British American football, demonstrating that homegrown talent can progress through the domestic pathway to reach the sport's highest level.

Traore joined the NFL Academy when it launched in 2019, becoming part of its inaugural cohort before eventually making his way across the Atlantic to pursue his professional ambitions.

Following his time with the academy programme, which has since relocated to Loughborough, Traore headed to the United States to continue his development at high school level in Florida.

His talent earned him a college scholarship at Arkansas State in 2021, where he began honing his skills at the collegiate level.

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Two years later, he made the move to Mississippi State, where he would spend the remainder of his university career.

The tight end also participated in the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) programme this year, further showcasing his abilities to professional scouts.

His route to the draft stands in contrast to fellow 2019 academy member Travis Clayton, who departed the London-based programme early before eventually being selected in 2024.

Efe Obada, the former Warriors player who became the first IPP participant to feature in the NFL, took to the stage in Pittsburgh to reveal Miami's selection.

"This isn't just another name on a card, this is living proof that the dream is possible," said the British defensive end, who has supported the academy since its formation and watched Traore's progression firsthand.

The Dolphins' new signing becomes only the third player from the IPP scheme to be chosen in an NFL Draft.

Australian offensive tackle Jordan Mailata paved the way when he was picked in 2018, while Clayton followed six years later to become the second British player selected through the international development initiative.

Across 48 college matches, Traore accumulated 131 receptions for 1,482 yards and crossed the goal line on 10 occasions, with half of those touchdowns coming during his final season.

Standing at six feet and four inches and tipping the scales at 244lb, the tight end possesses the physical tools to compete at the professional level.

Miami's general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, described him as "a raw, athletic ball of clay" with considerable room for growth.

"He hasn't been playing football real long, so that was what was intriguing to us, especially at that value," Sullivan explained.

The Dolphins chief added that they viewed Traore as "a player who's ascending, whose best ball is in front of him, and who can be a problem for defences in time".