New DL Zeikel Seumalo

[Art Spooner]

Short to play outside, light to play inside...Hmmm....

This made me think of this guy. Played at 6’2” 252.
Hercules Mata'afa (born September 18, 1995) is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League(NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, earning consensus All-American honors in 2017. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings.

Did “ok” playing at WASU being very undersized for a PAC 12 D-lineman. Speed, motor and strength carried him a long way. I had hoped it would translate to his brother when he transferred from Mississippi State. Seen flashes but not consistently. Let’s hope Seumalo can develop what the staff see as his potential.

 

[Griz Time]

Short to play outside, light to play inside...Hmmm....

Too high to get over (yea yea)
To low to get under (yea yea)
You're stuck in the middle (yea yea)
And the pain is thunder.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I think if he puts on 5-10-15 lbs. of muscle in The Washington Champion's Center's weight room, he should be okay playing inside for us, AZ !!!

Well, since he’s not likely to grow 4 inches, I’d say that’s the best alternative….

 

[alabamagrizzly]

This made me think of this guy. Played at 6’2” 252.
Hercules Mata'afa (born September 18, 1995) is an American former professional football defensive end in the National Football League(NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars, earning consensus All-American honors in 2017. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings.

Did “ok” playing at WASU being very undersized for a PAC 12 D-lineman. Speed, motor and strength carried him a long way. I had hoped it would translate to his brother when he transferred from Mississippi State. Seen flashes but not consistently. Let’s hope Seumalo can develop what the staff see as his potential.

I think Dwight Freeney might be the best example of successful undersized DE’s.

 

[GrizTexas]

I think Dwight Freeney might be the best example of successful undersized DE’s.

Aaron Donald was listed in the NFL as 6'1" 280 but prior was (for his entire college career) listed as 6'0" and didn't get to that weight until after his Freshman season...

 

[grizatwork]

I am going to show my age a little bit, but one of the most disruptive DT/NG we have had was a short guy by the name of Joe Kalafat. Probably 5'9" on a good day, but his speed off the snap made him a nightmare. Spent an afternoon terrorizing the Oregon Duck's offensive line about 35 years ago.

 

[Hoops watcher]

The Life And Career Of Alan Page (Story)

Alan Page was a Hall of Fame defensive tackle who spent 12 of his 15-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings. This is his story.

www.profootballhistory.com

This guy was pretty good for being undersized as well. Won the league MVP in 71, a first for a defensive player.

 

[kemajic]

I think Dwight Freeney might be the best example of successful undersized DE’s.

Alex Karas played at 248.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Well, that was somewhat of a different era. O-linemen were 250 then.

 

[Skookum-Jim]

I am going to show my age a little bit, but one of the most disruptive DT/NG we have had was a short guy by the name of Joe Kalafat. Probably 5'9" on a good day, but his speed off the snap made him a nightmare. Spent an afternoon terrorizing the Oregon Duck's offensive line about 35 years ago.

I was at that game in 1993 in Eugene, it was Dave Dickensons first game and he made quite an impression. I am suprised Kalafat was that short. His brother was over 6' im sure. I don't think Joe was the nose tackle then, I thought he played in the late 80's.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

I am going to show my age a little bit, but one of the most disruptive DT/NG we have had was a short guy by the name of Joe Kalafat. Probably 5'9" on a good day, but his speed off the snap made him a nightmare. Spent an afternoon terrorizing the Oregon Duck's offensive line about 35 years ago.

Kalafat was pre-DD, he played in the late 80's and DD was in the 90's.

 

[kemajic]

Well, that was somewhat of a different era. O-linemen were 250 then.

Only pulling guards.

 

[GriznMN]

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

 

[alabamagrizzly]

Only pulling guards.

From a article about the evolution of the size of NFL O linemen. I imagine defensive linemen have evolved mostly the same way. So Karras was pretty average for his day.

1920s 6-foot-0, 211 pounds
1930s 6-foot-1, 220
1940s 6-foot-1, 221
1950s 6-foot-2, 234
1960s 6-foot-3, 251
1970s 6-foot-3, 255
1980s 6-foot-4, 272
1990s 6-foot-4, 300
2000s 6-foot-4, 313
2015 6-foot-5, 312

NFL lineman weren't always so enormous — see how much they've grown over the years

Offensive lineman used to be about the size of today's wide receivers.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[grizatwork]

Kalafat was pre-DD, he played in the late 80's and DD was in the 90's.

You are correct. It was not Oregon. I think it was either Fresno State in 1989 or Oregon State in 1990. But he was a short dude.

 

[kemajic]

So Karras was pretty average for his day.

"Average" is not a term I can equate with Alex Karas. In any way....

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

"Average" is not a term I can equate with Alex Karas. In any way....

He was pretty average on Webster.

 

[alabamagrizzly]

"Average" is not a term I can equate with Alex Karas. In any way....

So you’d say his 6’2” 248 was above or below the 6’3” 251 average of his day? You’re right, he was definitely below average.

 

[Skookum-Jim]

Rob Waldrop was the best interior D lineman in college football in 1993. He was just over 6' and ~270#. Won the Outland trophy, best defensive lineman and the Nugurski trophy for the best defensive player. He was an unblockable force. Not sure what kind of player this kid is but his size is not a problem.