I caught Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel this morning and they did a story on the pressures that high school offensive lineman go through to get bigger and pack on weight. They focused on a couple kids on big time programs, one being St. X in Cincinnati and another in Pennslvania where football is huge.

 

The weights of these kids was unbelievable, some reaching 315lbs to 330lbs......the big stink was are these kids risking their health in the long run. I think they are and I think its quite evident in watching some of the pro offensive lineman and how FAT some of them are.

 

The sad part of the story was a kid who is 2 yrs removed from high school, he was 6'4 270lbs and a major recruit and was told he needed to get to 340lbs to be considered a major prospect. He didnt end up going anywhere and now he weighs over 400lbs at the age of 20 yrs old. SAD... just sad.

I think size can be sometimes over-rated among high school lineman. I would rather have a kid who is 6'1 240 lbs. and can fire off the ball and move well then some fat slob out there. Obviouslly a smaller kid isn't going to get recruited as much as a 6'5" 280 lb guy, but lineman in high school need to be athletic at least. As for trying to get kids to beef up to 300+ lbs, that is a pretty stupid thing to do for someone's health.

 

In regards to the pro lineman, the Denver Broncos year in and year out have had one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. Their Offensive line is always the lightest in the league. It is key for them to be quick enough to get on linebackers, you never see some 340 lb guy playing for them. Most of their guys weigh between 290-305. I think this goes to show that bigger isn't always better.

I think size can be sometimes over-rated among high school lineman. I would rather have a kid who is 6'1 240 lbs. and can fire off the ball and move well then some fat slob out there. Obviouslly a smaller kid isn't going to get recruited as much as a 6'5" 280 lb guy, but lineman in high school need to be athletic at least. As for trying to get kids to beef up to 300+ lbs, that is a pretty stupid thing to do for someone's health.

 

In regards to the pro lineman, the Denver Broncos year in and year out have had one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. Their Offensive line is always the lightest in the league. It is key for them to be quick enough to get on linebackers, you never see some 340 lb guy playing for them. Most of their guys weigh between 290-305. I think this goes to show that bigger isn't always better.

 

 

They referenced the Broncos line in the segment. I agree...but the colleges are looking for kids who are going to come in and be 310lbs and compete from the getgo and this is the pressure these kids are feeling. I am of course talking about Division 1 programs. Its pretty bad when a top 10 High school USA today team last year had an avg. line weight of 320lbs....more than most NFL teams. The health of these kids is what is at risk... that is the point of the thread.

I’m sure everyone remembers the Washington Redskins offensive line named “The Hogs”. Here are their stats:

Joe Jacoby 6’-7” 320 Lbs.

George Starke 6’-5” 260 Lbs.

Russ Grimm 6’-3” 275 Lbs.

Mark May 6’-6” 288

Jeff Bostic 6’-2” 250

Average 278 Lbs.

 

In this day and age, with the exception of Jacoby, would they even get looked at for College?

When you are a linemen sometimes size is over rated its all about technique. If you have good technique it beats size 90 percent of the time. I mean I would love to be a linemen at 265 or 280 but I can't do it so my technique must be good. The technique wins most of the time.

When you are a linemen sometimes size is over rated its all about technique. If you have good technique it beats size 90 percent of the time. I mean I would love to be a linemen at 265 or 280 but I can't do it so my technique must be good. The technique wins most of the time.

:thumb: We played Maryville College 2 weeks ago and I had to play against a defensive lineman who was 50 lbs heavier than me and by the look of his arms, stronger than me also, but I was able to out technique him, and consistently beat him every time. In highschool, a lot of the time you can out muscle other players, but in college at any level if you don't have good technique, it doesn't matter if you weigh 300 lbs and can bench 400+, you'll get beat 90% of the time just like JP said.

:thumb: We played Maryville College 2 weeks ago and I had to play against a defensive lineman who was 50 lbs heavier than me and by the look of his arms, stronger than me also, but I was able to out technique him, and consistently beat him every time. In highschool, a lot of the time you can out muscle other players, but in college at any level if you don't have good technique, it doesn't matter if you weigh 300 lbs and can bench 400+, you'll get beat 90% of the time just like JP said.

:thumb: Great post. Also good luck to you for the reaminder of the season!!

When you are a linemen sometimes size is over rated its all about technique. If you have good technique it beats size 90 percent of the time. I mean I would love to be a linemen at 265 or 280 but I can't do it so my technique must be good. The technique wins most of the time.

Size isn't over rated if the scouts won't look at you unless you're over 290lbs. You can't coach size, you can coach technique.

When you are a linemen sometimes size is over rated its all about technique. If you have good technique it beats size 90 percent of the time. I mean I would love to be a linemen at 265 or 280 but I can't do it so my technique must be good. The technique wins most of the time.

 

You are right about that for high school players. Good technique and playing smart can make up for a size disadvantage a lot of times. However, when talking about college recruits, especially D-1, then size will get your foot in the door and coaches can teach technique. Most D-1 college lineman are big and have good technique, therefore that is why smaller guys don't get the chance.

Size isn't over rated if the scouts won't look at you unless you're over 290lbs. You can't coach size, you can coach technique.

 

 

More to life, like life itself, than getting a D-1 scholarship in my opinion.

Any idea on how we (the general public) influence the scouts enough to change their ways?

Linemen are near and dear to my heart, but I don't want them risking lifelong injury and health for a few 'glory' years in high school and hopefully, college. I agree that speed and technique should override heft.

More to life, like life itself, than getting a D-1 scholarship in my opinion.

I fully agree with that statement but the Real Sports segment was talking about what kids (and parents) will do to get that D-1 scholarship. On the show they talked about a kid who's father would wake him up in the middle of the night so he could eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich so he could gain weight. That is just CRAZY!

Any idea on how we (the general public) influence the scouts enough to change their ways?

Linemen are near and dear to my heart, but I don't want them risking lifelong injury and health for a few 'glory' years in high school and hopefully, college. I agree that speed and technique should override heft.

I don't think there is any way to change scouts view. It would be like scouting shorter centers in basketball or scouting kids that can lay down a good bunt in baseball. The first thing a scout looks at for a lineman is his height & weight, then they will take a look at how the kid moves. Hate the game, not the player!

Read the CJ today if you want to see a story about a true lineman.

I like for our Lineman to be stronger. Here is our OL's sizes-LT- 6-3 250 LG-6-2 245 C- 6-0 240 RG- 6-2 245 RT- 5-11 240.