ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions front office has proven a willingness to scour every corner of the earth for talent. That continued on Thursday when the team signed rugby player and track star Carlin Isles to the practice squad.

Isles worked out with the team Monday, where he ran a 4.22 in the 40-yard dash according to the Detroit Free Press.

"He's got great speed," Schwartz said. "That's probably the biggest thing. He's a legit track guy. His background happened to be rugby, but it's probably more track."

Isles returned kicks at tiny Ashland University in 2012, before turning to rugby. Schwarz offered a loose comparison to Denver return man Trindon Holliday because both are small, but share a sprinting background.

"I don't want to compare the two, but if you want to develop one of those guys, you have to give some guys a chance here and there," Schwartz said.

In Schwartz's opinion, talent is talent.

He said there are plenty examples, both current and historically, of NFL teams bringing in athletes from other sports and converting them into productive NFL players.

"You know, Indianapolis has a rugby guy (Daniel Adongo)," Schwartz said. "He's a pass rusher. I know San Fran brought in a guy that was a shot putter or discus guy (Lawrence Okoye).

"I mean, you're looking for athletes. It hasn't been unusual to see basketball guys to the NFL. That's not just recently. That goes way back, even track guys like Bob Hayes and Renaldo Nehemiah. An athlete is an athlete. There are skills you can develop. If you see something you like, you can work with him."

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