Carlin Isles appears to have given up his hopes of playing in the NFL -- at least for now.
The utility player, who was dubbed “the fastest man in rugby,” initially signed on with the Detroit Lions' practice squad before the final game of the regular season. Then, the team signed him to a reserves/futures deal in January.
There was even some mention of him giving up rugby to concentrate on football and trying to make the Lions, where his speed could have potentially been used as a returner.
However, the Scotsman, a newspaper in Scotland, is reporting that Isles will head to Glasgow to play the rest of the rugby season with the Glasgow Warriors. The Warriors’ season will run until at least May, which would mean Isles would miss offseason workouts with Detroit.
Considering his rawness on the NFL level – he was a Division II college player with sprinter’s speed – this would not bode well for him making the team even if he would want to return after his rugby season. Isles is also part of the United States rugby sevens national team.
His agent told the Guardian that Isles’ goal is to play in the Rugby World Cup next season. If he were to devote himself to that, it would seem unlikely an NFL appearance would beckon.
