Look out, Australian giant Jordan Mailata.
Incredibly, there's a bigger, younger Aussie who could soon overshadow Mailata in the NFL.
His name is Daniel Faalele.
Mailata, the 21-year-old South Sydney Rabbitohs junior turned Philadelphia Eagles rookie, has become a popular storyline in the NFL this season for his massive 203-centimetre-tall and 157-kilogram frame.
Faalele, just 18, is 206cm tall, weighs 182kg and despite scant American football experience was this week promoted as the starting right tackle for the University of Minnesota Gophers.
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Minnesota desperately needs Faalele's size for this weekend's clash against the No.3-ranked team in US college football, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
"Daniel is a guy that can handle a lot," Minnesota coach PJ Fleck told reporters.
Mailata and Faalele and their massive feet – they both wear size 18 shoes – have walked similar paths while pursuing careers in the NFL.
Before landing in the US both had never played American football and their first stop for a fast-tracked introduction to the game was the IMG Academy in Florida.
Mailata and Faalele both play offensive tackle.
It is a crucial position where their huge bodies and athleticism are used to build a human wall to protect their quarterbacks.
While Mailata skipped college, entered this year's NFL draft and was selected by the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles, the younger Faalele opted to take a scholarship at Minnesota.
The Eagles and Gophers have stashed Mailata and Faalele on their benches to give them time to learn the game, but a crisis at Minnesota forced Fleck this week to elevate Faalele as his starting right tackle.
The decision had to be made after Minnesota quarterback Zack Annexstad was sacked 13 times the past five games, including three in the first half of last week's 48-31 loss to Iowa.
Minnesota players run out before a college football game last month.Credit:AP
Fleck said Faalele had made rapid improvement in recent weeks.
"I think back in March, April, I probably wouldn't have said he was ready yet and as he has continued to go every day [offensive line coach] Brian Callahan has got him more and more ready where you feel like, at this point, he can play," Fleck said.
AAP
