Defensive tackles are usually the biggest and strongest guys on defense.
At just 6’1″, Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald is definitely not as big as most All-Pro defensive ends. So he makes sure he is the strongest.
Donald was drafted 13th overall out of Pitt back in 2014. He’s been one of the NFL’s most dominant defenders from day one, averaging 37 tackles and 9.75 sacks over his first four years. That’s why he’s a four-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro, and the 2017 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
But of course, most defensive tackles weigh in well north of 300 pounds. Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, the last defensive tackle to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was 350 pounds. Aaron Donald weighs in at just 280. So what’s the secret to Donald’s success at the position?
Well, he’s incredibly fast, for one. Donald ran the 40 in 4.68 seconds at the 2014 NFL combine, which is a record for a defensive tackle.
Donald is also incredibly jacked. Even for a football player.
Here he is last month, showing off after a workout at his alma mater:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhSGps3nSgX/?utm_source=ig_embed
Here he is earlier this month, showing off his physique to the neighbors:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiU9QE0HpIS/?utm_source=ig_embed
And here he is last year, moving impossibly fast for a guy with this much muscle mass:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxXSTfh3gW/?utm_source=ig_embed
People like to give former Rams coach Jeff Fisher a lot of shit for being so terrible. But you gotta hand it to the guy when it comes to Aaron Donald. He was an absolute steal at no. 13.
