Standing six-foot-five and tipping the scales at 400 pounds, Tony Picard has a slight advantage over his high school rivals.
Especially when you consider his position.
The White Swan High School (Wash.) fullback, known by friends as “Big Tone,” has become a viral sensation after highlights of the mammoth back hit the Internet over the weekend.
Picard started his high school career as a defensive lineman, a position he still plays, but was converted into a fullback early in his sophomore season. The move seems to have paid off as Picard rushed for more than 500 yards and eight touchdowns this season, according to Busted Coverage, running over opposing defences and his own offensive line in the process.
“I just love carrying [the ball] and hitting people,” he told The New York Post about changing positions. “I’ve enjoyed it. I love playing on a line, I enjoy running the ball. I do what coach asks.”
Although Picard will likely have to revert back to his old position if he plans on taking the next step in his football (he is currently uncommitted), his coach has enjoyed the luxury a 400-pound, surprisingly agile back provides.
“It’s so much fun to have him go out [on the field] as a captain and see him shaking hands before the game. They’re just kind of staring, like ‘Oh my gosh, you’ve got to be kidding me!’ ”