LOOK: Minnesota to start absolutely massive 6-9 OL against Ohio State
By Keith Farner
Published:
Minnesota’s offensive line is in dire straights after it’s given up 13 sacks in five games. Now the Golden Gophers travel to Ohio State this week and plan to turn to a freshman to help fix the problem.
But he’s not just any freshman. Daniel Faalele is listed at 6-foot-9 and 400 pounds. Faalele arrived in Minnesota from Australia by way of IMG Academy. A 4-star recruit, Faalele has already played in two games this season, but this will be his first start.
“Daniel (Faalele) is a guy that can handle a lot … I feel like at this point, he can play,” coach P.J. Fleck said at a press conference.
The Daily Gopher reported that Faalele is still acclimating to football after he didn’t even play in games as a high school junior. Minnesota reportedly hoped to save Faalele’s redshirt, but it appears those plans have gone by the wayside.
To no one's surprise, @Coach_Fleck says on @KFAN1003 with @MikeGrimm3 that true freshman @DanielFaalele_'s redshirt "is off".
Looks like Faalele will be starting at RT for the next seven games.
— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) October 9, 2018
This is what 6’9” 400 lbs looks like. True frosh Aussie Daniel Faalele pic.twitter.com/K63zGCVfsp
— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) August 16, 2018
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
