Seydou Traore’s first taste of American football came not on a field but in front of a television set, where he watched the weekly NFL analysis program hosted by Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora on a British channel. That early exposure planted a seed that would later grow into a full‑blown ambition: to become the next subject of expert scrutiny on the sport’s biggest stage.
Now, as a 23‑year‑old tight end from Mississippi State, Traore is set to represent South London at the 2026 NFL Draft, a symbolic moment that underscores how the game’s reach extends far beyond the United States. Born in France and raised in the bustling neighborhoods of Westmoreland, South London, he has spent the past few years navigating a transatlantic path that has taken him from local parks in England to the collegiate stadiums of Arkansas, Colorado, and finally Mississippi. When asked about his demeanor during draft week, Traore describes himself as unusually composed. He projects a calm, laser‑focused presence, rarely succumbing to the emotional outbursts that often accompany this high‑stakes weekend.
Still, he admits that hearing his name called would inevitably stir a surge of feeling. "It will definitely be a special moment," he told Sky Sports. "I’m not usually the most emotional when the calls are made, but there will be an emotional moment for sure." His route to this point was anything but linear. As a child, Traore was a goalkeeper, chasing a soccer ball across the pitches of South London while dreaming of a professional career in the beautiful game.
It wasn’t until his teenage years that he discovered American football, a sport that was still relatively obscure in the UK. The first time he ever handled a football was with the London Warriors, a club located just ten minutes from his home.
"I grew up in South London, in Westmoreland, and fell in love with the sport," he recalls. "Before that I was playing soccer, rugby, basketball—anything the school offered." The transition from soccer to gridiron was swift. After a brief stint at the NFL Academy in the UK during the COVID‑19 pandemic, Traore earned a scholarship to Clearwater Academy in Florida, a move that marked his first real immersion in the American football culture.
At Clearwater he posted 26 receptions for 433 yards and three touchdowns in a single season, earning a three‑star recruit rating and drawing interest from several colleges. He chose Arkansas State University for his first collegiate experience. In his debut season, he led the Sun Belt Conference in tight‑end receptions, finishing with 62 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns, a performance that earned him First‑Team All‑Sun Belt honors. After two productive seasons, Traore transferred to the University of Colorado, hoping to join a program led by high‑profile coach Deion Sanders and to play alongside future NFL star Travis Hunter.
However, NCAA transfer rules forced him to sit out the 2023 season, a setback that tested his resolve. "It reinforced what I already knew about myself," he said. "I’m always going to chase an opportunity and grab it with both hands. Missing a season doesn’t mean the chance disappears; it just means I have to stay ready and keep working." Following the forced hiatus, Traore entered the transfer portal again and landed at Mississippi State, where he completed his college career.
The move proved pivotal, not only because it placed him in the heart of the SEC—a conference renowned for producing NFL talent—but also because it gave his family a chance to witness the magnitude of his journey. "Last year was the first time my family came to the States for the season," he explained. "Seeing the size of college football stadiums, especially when we played at Ohio State in front of over 100,000 fans, was a surreal moment. It made everything feel real." Beyond the on‑field achievements, Traore’s story reflects the broader narrative of football’s global expansion.
He is part of the inaugural class of NFL Academy graduates, a program launched in Barnet in 2019 to nurture international talent. His experience illustrates the cultural shift from the fast‑paced, skyscraper‑filled streets of London to the slower, more pastoral lifestyle of the American South. "I’m still the same person, but living in the countryside for five years has taught me a quieter, more tranquil way of life," he notes.
Traore’s college statistics culminate in 126 receptions for 1,402 yards and ten touchdowns, with half of those scores coming in his final season at Mississippi State. He often spent moments after practice gazing at the wall of NFL alumni photos in the team’s indoor facility, visualizing himself among those legends. When asked what message he wants to send back to the kids who grew up on the same South London fields where he once ran routes, Traore is unequivocal: "Never forget your roots, and remember that anything is possible.
If you care deeply about something, chase it. Don’t listen to the ifs, buts, and maybes. When it’s in your heart, it can become reality." As the 2026 NFL Draft unfolds, viewers can follow the three‑day event live on Sky Sports, beginning at 1 a.m.
on Friday. Whether or not Traore’s name is called, his journey from a London goalkeeper to a prospective NFL tight end stands as a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the growing international footprint of American football.