OT: Monster 350-pound RB has serious wheels, earns scholarship with Hawaii
It’s not particularly surprising that David Fangupo is a Division I college football recruit. After all, the Kailua-Kona (Hi.) Kealakehe High senior stands 6-foot-2 and roughly 350 pounds … before a big meal. What is surprising is that he is expected to play running back starting next year at his home state’s largest university, with Fangupo agreeing to sign a national letter of intent with Hawaii once he is academically cleared to do so.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/monster-350-pound-r…
February 13th, 2013 at 9:55 AM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 1:44 PM ^
It's my phantom neg-banger who's been following and negging me all week no matter what I post for whatever trolling reason he has in his head. I upvoted you as well.
February 13th, 2013 at 9:59 AM ^
I doubt Hawaii has the best competition. In addition to that, he doesn't look that fast. Good luck to him.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:41 AM ^
He's 350 pounds! How much faster do you expect him to be?
February 13th, 2013 at 12:18 PM ^
all of the faster
February 13th, 2013 at 10:00 AM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
February 15th, 2013 at 4:03 PM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 10:00 AM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 10:01 AM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 10:06 AM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 10:11 AM ^
Serious wheels??
February 13th, 2013 at 10:13 AM ^
A big dude like that playing running back. That's too funny - who in their right mind would ever try that?
February 13th, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^
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?
February 13th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
Suprised people even try to tackle him, I would just "trip" before he got to me.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
I would also utilize the "Turtle Tackle" technique if I were responsible for stopping him.
February 13th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^
How is this kid not a menacing, disruptive nose tackle?
February 13th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 10:54 AM ^
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!
February 13th, 2013 at 10:57 AM ^
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...
February 13th, 2013 at 11:01 AM ^
Wasn't there a fantastic video somewhere of Maurice Hurst as a running back?
February 13th, 2013 at 11:03 AM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
the Rainbows should have him up to 400lbs.
I think he's gonna play slot.
February 13th, 2013 at 11:57 AM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 12:08 PM ^
Gives new meaning to the phrase "bowling ball".
February 13th, 2013 at 12:09 PM ^
But does he have a real girlfriend? I am skepitical of all Hawaiin recruits.
February 13th, 2013 at 12:25 PM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 12:41 PM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 12:52 PM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
He's his own lead blocker.
February 13th, 2013 at 2:14 PM ^
I'm thinking: He's Like Denard, except big! or perhaps he's like Will Campbell except fast!
February 13th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^
He's like Denard, if he ate himself!
February 13th, 2013 at 4:06 PM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 4:45 PM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 5:14 PM ^
February 13th, 2013 at 5:41 PM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 7:53 PM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 8:11 PM ^
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.
February 13th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^
who the fuck is Elijah Gladstone?