350 lb. Running Back Commits to University of Hawaii as Critics Voice Skepticism (VIDEO)
A High School running back from Hawaii is gaining a great deal of attention after a video showed the 350 pound back breaking tackles while racing into the end zone, but many critics insists that he will not be as dominant at the collegiate level.
David Fangupo was recruited from his home town of Kailua-Kona and recently announced that he had signed on to play at the University of Hawaii.
Fangupo showcased his unique skill set playing running back at Kealakehe High and during his senior season carried the ball 75 times for a total of 538 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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He also led his team to a 10-2 record and the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship.
The 6-foot-2 348-pound recruit will play for his home state's college and will be drawing comparisons to other large running backs that came before him, such as Jerome Bettis and Ron Dayne, but critics are skeptical that he will remain such a dominant back as defensive players have gotten bigger and faster.
For now though Fangupo is happy to be going to a school so close to family and friends.
"I felt like it was not real at the moment … I'm excited and feel blessed that they would do that for me," Fangupo told West Hawaii Today during an interview.
"It's just pretty much playing for my home team and family and being around people I know. It goes from going to home (on the Big Island) to home again. All the support from my family is still there," he added.
Reports indicate that he had received several other offers from top division I schools including BYU, Georgia Tech and Utah, who were all vying for a chance to use the running back in their offensive systems.
Critics have stated that his size helped him in high school but that defensive players in college today are just as big and just as fast meaning that his transition to the college game could be plagued by setbacks.
