hungan1
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While we are waiting for the NFL Draft, I thought I'd dig up some old stories dear to Gopherholers. Although this is primarily about Daniel Faalele, it is intertwined with Curtis Dunlop's story and how the two friends decided to play together at Minnesota. This is the biggest recruiting coup for the Gophers for as long as I can remember.
What It's Like Being The Biggest Dude IN CFB
By Adam Kramer, B/R Mag, May 20, 2019
While Miles, Harbaugh and Nick Saban all coveted Faalele, it was Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck who made the best impression throughout the recruiting process—largely because football was only a portion of his pitch. Academics and even the spirituality of the decision have long been important talking points for Fleck.
"If you just want to play ball," Fleck says, "I am probably not for you."
At the time, Fleck assumed that was the case—that given his popularity in recruiting circles, Faalele was destined for Alabama or Georgia. But unlike elite players who grow up with program or geographical ties, Faalele sought comfort in familiarity.
He found it, at least at first, in the form of two IMG teammates: quarterback Zack Annexstad and guard Curtis Dunlap Jr. And both committed to Fleck and Minnesota in late 2017.
Dunlap, in particular, had a lot in common with Faalele. Both had offers from schools across the nation, both were larger than life (Dunlap was 6'5" and 370 pounds), and both were looking for a coach who was more than just a coach. Faalele's father was not a part of his childhood, and Dunlap's father died while his son was in high school.
The pair became close at IMG, and the thought of carving a football legacy together was appealing, so they both committed to Minnesota.
"I felt like some of the other schools didn't have that family environment and atmosphere I wanted," Faalele says. "I wanted to play for Coach Fleck."
Daniel with mom and baby brother / Dunlop and Faalele
PJ Fleck is a father figure to Faalele and Dunlop. He is not Faalele's only support system.
Faalele did not embark on the journey alone. His mother and younger brother, Taylor, who is 13 years old and already 6'2" and 280 pounds, uprooted and moved to Minneapolis to join him in August. They viewed this as a family decision from the start, and each of them has spent the past year transitioning to a new country, routine and way of life.
On the weekends, Faalele spends much of the time with his mother. "She's always been there for me," he says. "Having her here means my main support system is always nearby."
I wonder if Taylor will follow in Daniel's footstep and play football. If he does, I hope he decides to play for the Gophers too.
What they were saying about Daniel Faalele Down Under:
Australian gridiron player, 19, takes America by storm after he was discovered in a Melbourne gym and learned the sport's rules by playing video games
By Nic White, Daily Mail Australia, August 4, 2019
Faalele Helped Bring Home The Axe.
Daniel Faalele with girlfriend Brianna Montgomery.
What It's Like Being The Biggest Dude IN CFB
By Adam Kramer, B/R Mag, May 20, 2019
While Miles, Harbaugh and Nick Saban all coveted Faalele, it was Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck who made the best impression throughout the recruiting process—largely because football was only a portion of his pitch. Academics and even the spirituality of the decision have long been important talking points for Fleck.
"If you just want to play ball," Fleck says, "I am probably not for you."
At the time, Fleck assumed that was the case—that given his popularity in recruiting circles, Faalele was destined for Alabama or Georgia. But unlike elite players who grow up with program or geographical ties, Faalele sought comfort in familiarity.
He found it, at least at first, in the form of two IMG teammates: quarterback Zack Annexstad and guard Curtis Dunlap Jr. And both committed to Fleck and Minnesota in late 2017.
Dunlap, in particular, had a lot in common with Faalele. Both had offers from schools across the nation, both were larger than life (Dunlap was 6'5" and 370 pounds), and both were looking for a coach who was more than just a coach. Faalele's father was not a part of his childhood, and Dunlap's father died while his son was in high school.
The pair became close at IMG, and the thought of carving a football legacy together was appealing, so they both committed to Minnesota.
"I felt like some of the other schools didn't have that family environment and atmosphere I wanted," Faalele says. "I wanted to play for Coach Fleck."
Daniel with mom and baby brother / Dunlop and Faalele
PJ Fleck is a father figure to Faalele and Dunlop. He is not Faalele's only support system.
Faalele did not embark on the journey alone. His mother and younger brother, Taylor, who is 13 years old and already 6'2" and 280 pounds, uprooted and moved to Minneapolis to join him in August. They viewed this as a family decision from the start, and each of them has spent the past year transitioning to a new country, routine and way of life.
On the weekends, Faalele spends much of the time with his mother. "She's always been there for me," he says. "Having her here means my main support system is always nearby."
I wonder if Taylor will follow in Daniel's footstep and play football. If he does, I hope he decides to play for the Gophers too.
What they were saying about Daniel Faalele Down Under:
Australian gridiron player, 19, takes America by storm after he was discovered in a Melbourne gym and learned the sport's rules by playing video games
By Nic White, Daily Mail Australia, August 4, 2019
Faalele Helped Bring Home The Axe.
Daniel Faalele with girlfriend Brianna Montgomery.
