MSU Red Cedar Message Board

a 30 inch vertical and he weighs almost 400 pounds? you know how much power you need to get 400 pounds two and a half feet off the ground? and we're not talking about this "slow" power, you need explosive power. if he gets on the right table plan and really works at it, he could lose 50 pounds and play at 350. as i said before, here's our 3-4 NT.

Great avatar of Seth man.

I'd love to get him in and have him do some drills with Anthony Rashad White who is a former power lifter and is a bit older than your average college player too I believe.

There are a few big ? marks for me with this Aussie but plenty of potential as well.

First of all...not trying to sound like a dick, but trainers is a terrible term. MSU has two full time certified Athletic Trainers on staff who deal with the Sports Medicine side of the sport. Along with an intern and GA and numerous students and multiple physicians. The Strength and Conditioning Coaches have Coach Mannie and I believe if I am correct coach Hoke works with them as well. They also have GA's and Interns but am not sure how many specifically work with football. Also don't know if they have any students that help. Just wanted to clear up the "trainers" term. As a graduate of the athletic training program at MSU... we are all trying to do our part and clear up the difference between the two professions and it can be easy to confuse the two because we work so closely with one another.

I thought I'd give my 2 cents

My name is Markos and I run a strength & conditioning gym in Australia. I have a background in football.

Last year one of my clients secured a full ride at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Rory Dew, 6'8", 330lbs, 19yo

I've known Gawain for a while. He has no peer in powerlifting in Oz. He is a freak. Ignore his fat guts. He is very disciplined and can get to any weight any coach requires

His sporting back ground is basketball, yes, he is a baller, so his feet and hands wont be as slow as some of you think

I believe you have some of the best coaches available, they now have one of the best raw talents available

Nice challenge, nice fit

One thing that hasnt been mentioned is his personality

This guy will be an asset ANYWHERE, in any organization. He is quality and modest.

Good luck Gawain

All sounds like great input to me. Thanks for stopping by!

If all of this is true, it makes me a bit more optimistic. I want to see Gawain succeed but it's almost too crazy to believe.

Brock Lesnar couldn't do it. Wish him the best, but I doubt that this guy will ever have an impact.

By the way, great forum

Everyone agreeing is boring, but everyone being articulate and informed is rare

Gawain may never make it, but geez he'll enjoy the ride, and even if a couple of kids benefit from having him in the weight room, it cant be all bad

His size belies the fact that he is a very technical lifter who seldom grinds a rep, unbeleivably explosive

Im not sure if his deadlift has been mentioned, around 770lb

As a 12yo he practiced Olympic lifting

In 2009 he weighed just over 200lbs and was ripped, he decided to become the best super in Oz, so he ate

I knew about this "project" before most, he simply doesnt talk about himself at all. I have 3 daughters aged 14,14 and 16 who adore him, as does my wife and all the girls at PTC

He shits me

Is he mean enough to play american football? Has he played Aussie Football?

Gawain hasnt played Aussie Rules, I dont see that as a negative

Is he mean enough?

When preparing for a lift, everyone knows to stay away, he has the ability to "flip" the switch when needed. There is none of that false bravado that comes with a bullshit personality though. Anyman that loads 850lbs on his back and descends down, cant be all there.

As for never having played US Football, it can be taken 2 ways, no bad habits to undo is a positive, needing a steeper learning curve is a negative

No one should underestimate what a monumental challenge your football department has, its as big as Gawains.

If Gawain doesnt think he can help your organization in any way, he will walk away. He is not a time waster.

I also dont believe your coaching department are silly enough to waste time on anyone they thought had no chance.

So he is strong enough, powerful enough, big enough, keen enough, mean enough.

Hopefully he'll be good enough

I don't know what this means. Please translate.

It shits me. Basically I'm jealous because he is so damn likeable. Its a good thing

Rory Dew at College of Incarnate Word. I had to check and I still didnt believe him till I got some free T Shirts

Its a new school, Div 2 ball. Had a great academic upside that Rory was after. He was red shirted first year, plays this season. He should also make the International Team. Rory has played the game for years in Australia

Back on Gawain. I know that gym lifts count for nothing, if they did, Blaine Sumner would be in the US playing in the NFL, not coming to Australia for a powerlifting meet. He is even stronger than Gawain and has played your game for years, was overlooked in the draft.

Football ability is where it starts and ends.

Off topic, was Sumner even close to getting picked up?

Do you guys even know who he is?