http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...ence-became-recruiting-sensation?sf52729564=1
BRADENTON, Fla. -- The legend of Daniel Faalele is growing on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
He stands 6-foot-9, weighs 394 pounds and possesses a rare combination of power and speed. He is of Tongan and Samoan ethnicity and was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. He's 17 years old and wears size 18 shoes.
Faalele (pronounced Fah-ah-LAY-lay) hasn't played a single game of high school football yet, but he already has received scholarship offers from Arkansas, Fresno State, Hawaii, LSU, Miami, Michigan and Oregon State. Even at the internationally acclaimed IMG Academy, a facility overflowing with coveted recruits and budding superstars in multiple sports, Faalele has the ability to turn heads.
"The only human I've ever met in person who was that size was Shaquille O'Neal," said IMG head football coach Kevin Wright. "We have pro athletes on our campus. We have college athletes. But those guys aren't imposing. He was so imposing where it just made all of us stop and look and say, 'He really is that big.' "
Faalele was discovered at a Melbourne-area gym by a University of Hawaii recruiter in 2015. Word travels quickly in the football world, and other colleges were soon inquiring about this colossal raw talent. As a result, he became intrigued by American football and attended a University of Michigan satellite camp in suburban Melbourne last June. Not long after that, the fable of Faalele reached the IMG coaching staff in Florida -- nearly 10,000 miles from his hometown.
Xavier Thomas, who just happens to be the No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2018. Ultimately, looking ahead to the fall, Faalele can't wait to finally hit someone wearing a different uniform and show his skills under the lights in a game atmosphere.
"I know I'll definitely play well, just because I've wanted it so bad," Faalele said. "I'm definitely going to dominate my position, lock down my side and secure the win."
Considering Faalele's uncommon size, strength and speed, maybe it's only fair that most opposing players will have considerably more experience than he does. Just imagine if he had been discovered a few years earlier and had the opportunity to play four varsity seasons. With that in mind, consider that Faalele has a younger brother, 11-year-old Taylor, back home in Melbourne.
"I think he's actually projected to be bigger than me," Faalele said. "He's 6-foot, 250 pounds and [wears] size 13 [shoes]. He wants to come to IMG as well, so hopefully he can follow in my footsteps."
BRADENTON, Fla. -- The legend of Daniel Faalele is growing on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
He stands 6-foot-9, weighs 394 pounds and possesses a rare combination of power and speed. He is of Tongan and Samoan ethnicity and was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. He's 17 years old and wears size 18 shoes.
Faalele (pronounced Fah-ah-LAY-lay) hasn't played a single game of high school football yet, but he already has received scholarship offers from Arkansas, Fresno State, Hawaii, LSU, Miami, Michigan and Oregon State. Even at the internationally acclaimed IMG Academy, a facility overflowing with coveted recruits and budding superstars in multiple sports, Faalele has the ability to turn heads.
"The only human I've ever met in person who was that size was Shaquille O'Neal," said IMG head football coach Kevin Wright. "We have pro athletes on our campus. We have college athletes. But those guys aren't imposing. He was so imposing where it just made all of us stop and look and say, 'He really is that big.' "
Faalele was discovered at a Melbourne-area gym by a University of Hawaii recruiter in 2015. Word travels quickly in the football world, and other colleges were soon inquiring about this colossal raw talent. As a result, he became intrigued by American football and attended a University of Michigan satellite camp in suburban Melbourne last June. Not long after that, the fable of Faalele reached the IMG coaching staff in Florida -- nearly 10,000 miles from his hometown.
Xavier Thomas, who just happens to be the No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2018. Ultimately, looking ahead to the fall, Faalele can't wait to finally hit someone wearing a different uniform and show his skills under the lights in a game atmosphere.
"I know I'll definitely play well, just because I've wanted it so bad," Faalele said. "I'm definitely going to dominate my position, lock down my side and secure the win."
Considering Faalele's uncommon size, strength and speed, maybe it's only fair that most opposing players will have considerably more experience than he does. Just imagine if he had been discovered a few years earlier and had the opportunity to play four varsity seasons. With that in mind, consider that Faalele has a younger brother, 11-year-old Taylor, back home in Melbourne.
"I think he's actually projected to be bigger than me," Faalele said. "He's 6-foot, 250 pounds and [wears] size 13 [shoes]. He wants to come to IMG as well, so hopefully he can follow in my footsteps."
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