Egolum has the bulk, but its his smarts that stand out

When assessing the competence of an interior linemen, most talent evaluators mention the macho attributes: toughness, power and strength. Rarely does a coach or scout look at a mammoth-sized 300-pound trenchman and say, "Wow, he's really smart." (Unless you went to Harvard like the Baltimore Ravens' Matt Birk).

But that's exactly how Forestville Military Academy head coach Charles Harley described his massive lineman, junior Bryan Egolum . The 6-2, 310-pound Egolum has all the physical tools that constitute a future Division I lineman, but, Harley insists, it's his intelligence that separates him.

"It's freakish how much he knows," Harley said. "We'll be looking at a play on the chalkboard and he'll be talking about a linebacker or safety and where they're supposed to be. He'll be like, 'In this formation you're in cover-2 or you have deep third.' We're all puzzled. Most D-linemen have no clue what the rest of the defense does, especially the safeties. He knows it all."

Pretty impressive for a guy who just started playing football two years ago.

Egolum, who migrated from Nigeria when he was four years old, was a soccer and basketball aficionado. He really didn't give the American version of football much thought until his early teen years. When Egolum enrolled at Forestville, he was dead set on playing basketball, despite his large frame.

Egolum did just fine on the hardwood his first year, showing enough skills and moves to warrant a starting spot on the Knights' basketball team.

At the end of Egolum's freshman year, however, Harley happened to see him lifting weights with the basketball team. Like any football coach searching for a blindside blocker, Harley was intrigued. He introduced himself to Egolum and asked him if he was interested in playing football. Egolum politely refused.

"I liked basketball, and I thought football was too physical," Egolum said.

But Harley kept close tabs on him anyway. He watched Egolum compete on the hardwood and was impressed by how quick the big man's feet were. Harley pressed Egolum further, telling him he had all the tools to be a high school football star.

Egolum finally relented and said he'd come to the football team's offseason weight lifting program.

"He'd never truly lifted weights before and, after I showed him proper technique, on the first try he's benching 200 pounds," Harley said. "That got my attention."

Egolum was proud of himself. Eventually, he grew to love the grind of lifting weights and working out with the football team.

"Before you know it he was hooked," Harley said.

Egolum spent his sophomore year lifting, watching and learning the game of football. He didn't play much, but with his brains and brawn he quickly developed into one of Forestville's better linemen.

By his junior year, Egolum was named Forestville's starting left guard and substitute defensive tackle. Though still raw, Egolum played well and established himself as a rising star in Prince George's County.

"I'm a little surprised since I never played football before," Egolum said. "But once I adapted and learned the game it all came easily to me."

It comes easier to Egolum, who has a 3.8 GPA, than most. He's able to read offenses and defenses better than English majors can read Shakespeare.

Early in the season, Forestville was playing a team that showed a 3-4 defense with linebackers coming up to blitz. But every time the linebackers moved in, they suddenly dropped back into pass coverage. Egolum noted this and told his coaches they needed to change the blocking schemes. The result? The Knights ended up gashing their opponents with the run whenever the linebackers showed blitz.

"I guess you could call me a coach on the field," Egolum said. "You can't really confuse me out there. I know what's going on. I watch a lot of film and I analyze it and break it down - not only of myself but of everyone. I'm trying to help everyone do their jobs better."

But football acumen is for coaches. If Egolum didn't have the physical tools, he'd still be playing basketball ... or studying. Make no mistake: Egolum can throw a block or chase down a running back with the best of them.

"Besides his smarts, he keeps his feet moving, he has great hands, great lower body strength, great leverage," Harley said. "When he's not thinking too much, there's none better."

During a Week 1 battle with rival Gwynn Park, Egolum took out two linebackers with one block. Forestville called for a middle run behind Egolum. The big left guard pancaked the defensive linemen and then took out the middle linebacker. The blocks sprung Forestville's running back for a 40-yard gain.

"I was running right downfield with the running back," said Egolum, laughing. "That was a good one."

Egolum might have the strength and savvy to be a top-level lineman, but there's plenty he has to learn. Egolum said sometimes he thinks too much and it can make him hesitant. Physically, he has to work on staying low and improving his stamina.

"Last year I wasn't bringing my 'A' game the entire time," Egolum said. "I can't be off for even one quarter. If you're always on you can't lose."

Harley agreed. Next year he's expecting Egolum to be in top shape and even better prepared for those defenses.

"Last year he was teetering on dominance," Harley said. " This year I think he'll be one of the premier linemen in the county."

If so, Egolum has the chance to land a full scholarship to a BCS school, a thought that was unfathomable just two years ago. South Florida, Maryland, Michigan State, Temple and New Mexico have all inquired about him, according to Harley.

"I think I can be a Division I player if I keep working hard," Egolum said. "There's always room for improvement, and if you never settle you'll end up where you want to be."

Spoken like a true scholar-athlete.

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