News Pitt proves there’s downsizing in college football

[ThomasTomasz]

PITTSBURGH (AP)—College football linemen are getting bigger, bigger and bigger still. Those 230-pound offensive linemen from Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt’s days as a Panthers tackle in the 1970s would be linebackers or tight ends these days.

The trend toward NFL-sized linemen is one Wannstedt doesn’t particularly like, so he is reversing it by going with offensive linemen who weigh less than 300 pounds. It’s a major switch in philosophy, given that Ohio State’s offensive line in last season’s national title game averaged 318 pounds.

After the Panthers had trouble handling some of the Big East’s quick but strong defensive linemen, Wannstedt decided to downsize. Strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris was told to get the linemen stronger but, whenever possible, smaller, too.

Pitt proves there's downsizing in college football - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[Whit Prowdy]

It's also a matter of health too...300 pounds, no matter how good in shape you are...really isn't healthy.

I like what Wannstedt is doing here, hopefully more coaches will follow.

[Hawkeye]

Well, the run-oriented spread demands smaller faster players, so you could see downsizing at Michigan too. I don't think it will be a trend across all of college footbal though.