'I'm all in': How 'rare', giant Aussie Ravens draftee began unlikely NFL journey

But the 174-kilogram, over 2-metre-tall offensive lineman may never have begun his journey in American football if it wasn't for a turning point when he was just 16 years old.

It was back in 2015 in a suburban gym in Melbourne. Faalele was an aspiring NBA player when a knee injury led him to seek the guidance of Conquest Athletic Performance to get back to full fitness again.

Their head of performance Dave Tuinauvai was friends with University of Hawaii football coach Chris Naeole, and when he was told of Faalele's size, Naeole immediately hopped on a plane.

"He offered Daniel a scholarship straight away," Tuinauvai told The Canberra Times.

Faalele still had his heart set on a career in the NBA, however Naeole's visit showed what great opportunity was in store for the teenager in American football.

"It wasn't until Chris came and told him that he hadn't seen that size... ever," Tuinauvai said.

"It took a bit of time for him to absorb that, but then he came in and said, 'Yo coach, I'm all in, let's do it'."

At the time high school student Faalele was not yet ready for university.

Though as word got out about the Aussie giant, he soon turned enough heads in college football circles to be able to finish high school at elite sports institution IMG Academy in Florida. It was actually University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh - the brother of Baltimore Ravens NFL coach John Harbaugh - that held a scouting camp in Australia and led to IMG being suggested as the next step for Faalele.

Faalele developed quickly at IMG and by the time he was ready to graduate high school he was knocking back offers from top colleges like Alabama, LSU and Michigan before committing to the University of Minnesota. It was in four successful years there that he caught the attention of the Ravens.

"He's pretty rare," Tuinauvai said.

"As a guard your main role is to protect the quarterback and when you're that size and can plug a hole, they see what we all saw back then."

Though Naeole unfortunately lost out on recruiting Faalele, he and Tuinauvai can take credit for putting him on the path to the NFL where he now stands to be the heaviest player in the league.

Faalele hasn't forgotten his roots and what kicked off his incredible journey though.

"I grew up playing rugby, then I transitioned to basketball, and how I really got into football, I was getting scouted by the Hawaii coaches and from there I got interested [in the sport]," Faalele said after his name was called by Baltimore in the NFL draft in Las Vegas.

"Being new to football can be an advantage because I haven't had as many coaches so I have less bad habits. I feel like with the right coaches it can bring out the best in me.

"It feels like it's been super fast. I remember it like it was yesterday, leaving home and making that tough decision.

"Everything has happened for a reason and it's worked out for the best. I wouldn't change anything."

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