OT: Monster 350-pound RB has serious wheels, earns scholarship with Hawaii

there is a chance his career could be ended with major knee damage, because the only way you're bringing him down is a low tackle to the legs.  If he sticks with RB he could wind up with an ACL tear.  Best of luck to him though!  Glad I don't have to tackle him.

I doubt Hawaii has the best competition.  In addition to that, he doesn't look that fast.  Good luck to him.

Schools/players say a lot of interesting things during the recruitment and commitment process.

While it is possible to dominate at a High School level at his size a 350 lb. running back is going to get destroyed by D1 linebackers and safeties that can swarm.

I think he could really play RB but not at 350. If he got down to 280 he could be a load and gain a lot more speed.

If Derrick Green had kept eating

I like his wheels, but he's way too slow to be a college running back. If Hawaii's coaches have any sense, they'll stick this kid at the nose and let him chase down QBs all day.

Serious wheels??

A big dude like that playing running back.  That's too funny - who in their right mind would ever try that?

Possibly a FB, not sure what O Hawaii is running now a days, but I can't see him sticking as a RB. Pound him at the goalline I suppose. I see him as an awesome pulling guard and being able to block in space with those feet.

Well with a college strength and conditioning program behind him and a little bit of determination he is going to lose a bunch of weight.



He is faster than he looks because of how big he is bits he just isn't putting up good 60' times.

Could you imagine him at FB?

Suprised people even try to tackle him, I would just "trip" before he got to me.

But he can't stay that heavy and expect to play RB in college. If he got down to 280-275 , and got stronger, he could be real tough bring down assuming he would gain some speed.

There was a video of him posted in one of the recruiting roundups, if people reading didn't see it. Impressive speed for someone of his size. He frequently outran just about everyone on the field. Should be a great fb, w would probably make a great dt.

How is this kid not a menacing, disruptive nose tackle?

He's a much bigger version of Javorskie Lane who played for Texas A&M between 2005 and 2008. Lane weighed in around 280lbs as a freshman but ended up rushing for over 2,000 yds and 49 TD's in his career. I remember they ended up slimming him down through the years there. I would think they would do the same for David

is some real MANBALL

He has good top end speed for his size. He runs in a straight line well but I question his ability to cut against college athletes. Good for short yardages though!

That was fun to watch :)

Curious if he can do anything against college athletes though.  It seems like it would be much  easier for a 350 lb RB to succeed in HS just due to "mismatch" issues.  That advantage will be less in college.  And I'm sure Hawaii has plans for him in their S&C program...

Wasn't there a fantastic video somewhere of Maurice Hurst as a running back?

At the end of his second run he stops his teammate from jumping on him as if to say "if you jump on me now, I'll die!"  Good luck to the kid.

the Rainbows should have him up to 400lbs.

I think he's gonna play slot.

I don't care what rivals lists his 40 time as, automatic 5 fakes out of 5.

Gives new meaning to the phrase "bowling ball".

But does he have a real girlfriend?  I am skepitical of all Hawaiin recruits.

I agree that he's going to have to lose some weight to gain some speed/directional change against D-1 players, but I'm not sure why 280 is the number and I don't think he could get down to that anytime soon in a healthy, strength-gaining manner. I suspect they'll try to widdle him down a bit but I'd be shocked if he ever drops under 300 unless he isn't hitting the weight room enough to pack on good weight.

I know (if his academics are in order) that I'd be interested as a college coach because his potential at several positions (OG, FB, DT, DE) depending on his weight and hands. He'll probably see limited use as a short yardage RB and spend the rest of his time somewhere else.  Hopefully he's open to that idea and no to sucked into a "no, I play RB" mind-set.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092889/index.htm

He was only 280lbs.  Texas A&M ran him into the Michigan line 40+ times in a lopsided loss to Michigan in the 1970's.

Fangupo looks pretty good against 190-pound HS kids, but it won't be that easy in college.  Plus, his long runs seemed to be in short yardage situations with almost everyone in the box.  College defenses tend to have players hold their positions a lot better than what I was seeing there.  

I think he'll make a great fullback, and should be able to get some extra yards, but I don't see him breaking off any long runs against legitimate competition.

He's his own lead blocker.

I'm thinking: He's Like Denard, except big! or perhaps he's like Will Campbell except fast!

Obviously he’s not going to play RB at the next level, but his athleticism and nimble feet are very impressive.  Guys who are his size and move like that don’t grow on trees.  It’s the main reason Dontari Poe went to the Chief’s at 11 despite not doing much at Memphis. 

He’s probably going to be a NT/ short yardage FB like Jesse Williams from Bama.

The biggest running back I have ever saw play in high school was Alan Branch at Cibola in New Mexico.  He played basketball too and was OK.

Are those fourth graders

the Hawaii coaches told the kid he could be an rb to get him to sign with them, but they have no intention of actually playing him there. Look for him to switch to nt during fall camp.

Anyone remember this guy?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Okoye

played at about 260...

that's a bit lighter than 350 though... I'm sure his coaches will get him in shape or he'll sit on the bench.

I saw this story a day or two ago; the analysis I saw there said he would be playing DT or NT at Hawaii, I forget which.

who the fuck is Elijah Gladstone?