**Louis Rees-Zammit’s New Relationship in the Spotlight: Meet Influencer and Athlete Drew Knotts**
Welsh rugby talent turned NFL hopeful Louis Rees-Zammit has made headlines once again – not for his sporting pursuits this time, but for his blossoming romance with social media personality Drew Knotts. As Rees-Zammit prepares for another season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, attention is shifting towards his girlfriend’s fascinating background, which, much like his own, is rooted deeply in sport and achievement.
Having spent the NFL off-season reconnecting with family in the UK after his debut year stateside, Rees-Zammit has kept followers intrigued with glimpses into his new chapter both on and off the field. The ex-rugby star, who joined the Jaguars as part of the International Player Pathway but is yet to secure a spot on the main roster, was recently photographed with Knotts during holidays in Dubai as well as social events in Florida. The pair went public in February, hinting at a strong partnership built during a pivotal period in Rees-Zammit’s career.
Drew Knotts, aged 26 and a native of Plant City, Florida – the very community where Rees-Zammit is now based – comes with her own share of the limelight. Before she was known for her online influence, her name was associated with sporting prowess. From an early age, Knotts showed an appetite for competition, sampling a host of athletic disciplines including basketball, flag football, gymnastics, tennis, football (soccer), softball and swimming. Ultimately, her affection for football stood out, with Knotts developing a reputation for extraordinary speed and agility from a young age – she was even reputed to outrun many of her male peers at school.
Her sporting accolades include a stint with established youth clubs such as Plant City Lancers and Brandon Flames, before representing the Elite Clubs National League under-14s, an elite youth set-up in Florida. During her years at Plant City High School, she distinguished herself as the only non-senior to score 10 goals in a single season and received multiple accolades, including six “player of the game” nods and the Swope Rodante Vanguard Student Athlete Award back in 2016.
Unfortunately, injury struck as she began her studies at Georgia Southern University, briefly derailing her football ambitions. Knotts persevered, later transferring to Southern Mississippi University where she returned to compete before eventually graduating with a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management in 2021. The familial connection to sport persists too, with her brother currently competing in American football for Texas Tech University.
Yet it isn’t just sport that has played a formative role in Knotts’ life. Since her youth, she has immersed herself in the pageant circuit, achieving notable recognition when crowned Junior Royalty and following in the footsteps of her grandmother and cousin, both former winners at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Knotts has spoken candidly about balancing the physical with the glamorous – revealing that long gowns at pageants conveniently concealed the bruises amassed from football matches.
A serious knee injury threatened her participation in competitions and left her on crutches just weeks before a pivotal beauty pageant. Demonstrating resilience characteristic of both athletes and performers, Knotts defied expectations, rehabilitated, and returned in time to clinch the title. While she has since shifted her attention to digital platforms, her background in competitive sport and beauty has shaped her presence and appeal online.
Knotts has harnessed this unique blend of experience into a thriving career as an influencer, amassing nearly 30,000 Instagram followers and partnering with a range of lifestyle and fashion brands. Although recent activity on TikTok has been limited, she remains a visible personality, offering fans regular updates about her adventures and collaborations, such as her recent project with Kickstand Cocktails.
Before her relationship with Rees-Zammit, Knotts was linked to internet celebrity and country musician Tayler Holder. Their partnership, which began publicly in 2023, generated a buzz online, with Knotts featuring in a series of popular TikTok videos. Holder, an established figure with close to 20 million TikTok followers and a successful music career, announced their split at the start of 2024.
The recent coupling of Rees-Zammit and Knotts, two young adults shaped by early achievement and public attention, has piqued the curiosity of sports and entertainment fans alike. With both continuing to document aspects of their lives online, it appears this cross-continental romance will remain of interest as Rees-Zammit pursues his American football ambitions and Knotts continues to carve her niche across digital and sporting landscapes.
As their story unfolds, there is little doubt that the pair will remain firmly in the spotlight, balancing the pressures of competitive sport and public profiles, whilst supporting each other’s journeys and ventures in the year ahead.