Pound-for-pound, undersized tackles are measuring up
Weighing 280 pounds last year, Navy’s Matt Molloy was lighter than the average starting tackle in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) by 21 pounds. When Molloy decided to get smaller, however, none of his coaches protested.
At Navy (6-2), offensive tackles are better equipped to deal with the demands of the triple-option offense — as well as the rigors of the academy — if they are lighter and quicker. When Molloy reported to camp this summer, he was a lean 260 pounds.
But even with 20 fewer pounds, the 6-foot-3 junior was still the heaviest starting tackle on the Midshipmen offensive line. On the other side is junior Jeff Battipaglia (6-4, 256). At a combined 516 pounds, Molloy and Battipaglia are the lightest pair of starting tackles in the 120-team FBS, dwarfed by prototype duos at schools such as Iowa State (687 pounds), TCU (670) Minnesota (667), and No. 1 Florida (662).
“I wanted to go somewhere I could play,” said Molloy. “I wasn’t going somewhere I had to be 320 pounds and 6-6. That just wasn’t in the cards for me.”
While most programs put their tallest and heaviest linemen on the outside for pass protection, Navy flip-flops the equation, as do other teams, such as Georgia Tech and Army, which employ the run-oriented triple-option.
“It’s by design,” said Navy offensive line coach Chris Culton. “Our guards have to base block and our tackles have to run and cut block linebackers and safeties. They have to be more athletic than the guys inside. They’ve got to have good feet. They have to run like a tight end. Our guys can run for days.”
Not that Navy’s interior linemen are mastodons. The other starters are center Curtis Bass (6-1, 265) and guards David Hong (6-3, 278) and Osei Asante (6-1, 265).
Meeting physical requirements at the academy is difficult for any student carrying excess weight. The academy lifestyle is a weight-control program in itself according to Asante.
“I came into camp this year at 275. I’ve lost 10-15 pounds since,” said the senior co-captain. “Didn’t try. It just happens — schoolwork, not as much sleep, classes. It happens to me every year.”
It begins at Plebe Summer, a seven-week program of strenuous physical and mental training for incoming freshman. Battipaglia entered the academy at 255 pounds, but spent most of the rest of his freshman year getting back to that weight after losing approximately 20 pounds during his indoctrination.
Compare Battipaglia’s college experience to that of his Saturday counterpart, Temple (5-2) offensive tackle Devin Tyler (6-7, 305). Coming out of Suitland High, Tyler weighed 220 pounds.
“Our guys can’t survive the academy at 285, 300 pounds,” said Colton. “They have to pass the [physical requirements tests] that all the Midshipmen do. You don’t see any fat people here.”
Given the size constraints, the finesse-oriented triple-option is the ideal offense for Navy. There’s no arguing with the results. After leading the nation in rushing the last four years, Navy (6-2) is No. 3 this year, and moving up the charts each week. Paving the way is the Mids’ tiny line, typified by second-year starters Molloy and Battipaglia.
“A lot of guys are 6-2, 250 pounds. They’re undersized and you’re thinking, maybe if they put on 15 pounds, they can play for us,” said Colton. “But if he has a nasty disposition when he plays football, then he’s perfect. We definitely have a [recruiting] advantage then, because we’ve identified the skill set that other people might overlook.”
