Seydou Traoré’s first encounter with American football came not on a field in the United States but in front of a television set in the United Kingdom. As a teenager he was glued to a weekly NFL program hosted by former players Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora, and the excitement of the sport sparked a curiosity that would later define his career. Fast‑forward several years and the same young man who once watched the show is now the subject of analysis on that very program. Born in France but raised in the bustling neighborhoods of South London, Traoré grew up dreaming of a career in soccer, the sport that dominates the streets and schoolyards of his hometown.
He even spent a brief spell as a goalkeeper, catching balls with his hands instead of his feet. Yet destiny had other plans.
The 23‑year‑old tight end was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 180th overall pick in the NFL Draft, turning a childhood fascination into a professional reality. His pathway to the draft was anything but linear. "I didn’t start playing American football until I was a teenager," Traoré recalls. "The first time I ever set foot on a gridiron was with the London Warriors, a club that was only about ten minutes from my house." Growing up in Westmoreland, a district of South London, he dabbled in every sport his school offered—soccer, rugby, basketball—anything that let him stay active.
Soccer remained his first love, but once he tried football he was hooked. He earned a spot at the NFL Academy for a year, a stint that coincided with the COVID‑19 pandemic, before moving to the Clearwater Academy in Florida to further hone his skills.
At Clearwater, Traoré’s numbers began to attract attention: 26 receptions for 433 yards and three touchdowns in a single season earned him a three‑star prospect rating and a scholarship offer from Arkansas State University. "Playing American football in London is a niche experience," he explains. "Only a handful of people back home truly understand how big the sport is overseas. Convincing my family to let me travel half a world away was a challenge.
They didn’t really grasp what the game entailed, but they trusted my determination and let me chase my dream." Traoré’s college career took off at Arkansas State, where he quickly became a dominant force in the Sun Belt Conference. In his debut season he led all tight ends in receptions, finishing with 62 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns, an achievement that earned him First‑Team All‑Sun Belt honors. After two productive seasons he transferred to the University of Colorado, hoping to work under head coach Deion Sanders and share the field with two‑position star Travis Hunter, now a Jacksonville Jaguar. However, NCAA transfer rules forced him to sit out the 2023 season, a setback that tested his resolve.
"Missing a year on the field was frustrating, but it reminded me why I’m here," he says. "It reinforced my belief that opportunities don’t always appear on a set timetable. You have to stay prepared, keep grinding, and remember your purpose even when you’re not playing." The forced hiatus ultimately led Traoré to re‑enter the transfer portal, and he landed at Mississippi State, where he completed his collegiate journey. The move to Starkville proved pivotal.
For the first time, Traoré’s family traveled across the Atlantic to watch him play in the United States. "Seeing my parents in the stands during the 2025 season was an eye‑opener," he admits.
"College football in America is a cultural phenomenon far beyond what the term ‘university sports’ conveys back home. The crowds, the stadiums, the atmosphere—it was surreal. My first game at Ohio State, with over 100,000 fans roaring, made me realize just how massive this world is." During his final two seasons at Mississippi State, Traoré added 64 receptions for 650 yards and six touchdowns, bringing his college totals to 126 catches, 1,402 yards, and 10 scores.
He often spent moments after practice staring at the wall of NFL alumni photos in the indoor facility, visualizing himself among those legends. "I picture my name next to theirs someday," he says, a thought that fuels his daily grind. Life in the American South has also reshaped his perspective. "I’m still the same person, but five years in Arkansas and Mississippi have taught me a slower, more peaceful way of living compared to the fast‑paced hustle of London," he reflects.
"The countryside vibe, the relaxed pace—it’s given me a new kind of tranquility." Traoré’s story is a testament to perseverance across continents, cultures, and sporting codes. He emphasizes that success is rarely a straight line.
"You have to keep knocking on doors, try different paths, and when an opportunity finally opens, walk through it with confidence," he advises, echoing the message he shares in an NFL UK documentary about his journey. Looking ahead, Traoré is eager to join the ranks of NFL alumni he once admired. Yet he remains grounded in his roots. "I never forget where I started—those grass fields next to my house in South London where I ran routes as a kid.
I want kids back home to see that it’s possible, that they can take a risk and chase a dream, even if it seems far‑fetched," he says. "My message is simple: if you care deeply about something, pursue it relentlessly.
Ignore the doubts, the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts.’ If it’s in your heart, it can become reality."