The game of football is changing–and so are the size of the people playing it. Physical frames that used to be considered freakishly huge is simply becoming the norm–and those with freakishly huge frames are moving like “normal” sized humans making life difficult for all those involved.

One of those young men sporting a freakish frame to go along with a high-level of athleticism is Auburndale’s Andrew “Drew” Beymer. He’s 6-foot-8, 295-pounds, a member of the Class of 2017 and he’s playing offensive tackle for the Bloodhounds. Beymer also plays for the A-Dale hoops team that is starting their run to Lakeland in the playoffs against regional finalists Deltona this evening in a match-up with one of the state’s premier big men, Evan Hinson.

Beymer’s been the biggest kid on the block virtually everywhere he goes, and when he stepped onto the football field for the first time this past season, the looks and comments were exactly what you’d think they were–as in, “we thought you played basketball only, but now we have to try and beat you off the block?!”

BCP caught up with Beymer last evening and asked him about his size, his experience playing football for the first time and a few other things in order to gain a little more perspective about this very intriguing prospect out in Polk County, so here are a few good minutes with the Bloodhounds’ big tackle, Mr. Drew Beymer.

BCP: This world isn’t exactly designed for someone of your size, so have you been this size all your life? How have you adjusted through the years to literally being the big man on campus?
DB: “I’ve always been big–had to get used to it and train. I played baseball as a kid so I worked on my hand-eye coordination that way playing first base and pitching a little bit.”

BCP: Obviously hoops is something that you’d play growing up with that size, but when did you decide to play football?
DB: “Last season was my first season, while I’ve been playing basketball since I was kind in middle school.”

BCP: What made you decide to play football?
DB: “I wanted to give it a shot and a lot of teammates were telling me I needed to come out and play so I decided to give it a shot. I enjoyed it (playing football)–I learned pretty quick what I needed to do to be good at it and I really liked it. My O-Line coach is really good as well in Coach Morris–he taught me a lot.”

BCP: We gotta ask, what’s that shoe size of yours?
DB: “I wear a size 16/17 shoe.”

BCP: Did you notice a crossover with the two sports that you’re playing currently?
DB: “Basketball has helped me with my footwork (on the football field) and helped me to be able to move quicker as well. I got more aggressive playing basketball after football season this year.”

BCP: Has there been contact from colleges already following your first season on the gridiron?
DB: “I just had some interest from Arizona–they came for Jessie Britt–and the coaches talked to me as well and told me they would be back in the spring. I went to Florida on an unofficial and I went to USF for a game this past season as well. The coaches just told me to keep getting bigger and stronger.”

BCP: So, it’s pretty obvious to say that’s your #1 goal for this offseason is to work on what the coaches said, right?
DB: “Yes, sir. Definitely getting into the weight room and working on my strength.”

BCP: What do you like to do when you’re not busting your butt playing hoops or football?
DB: “I like to go to the gun range–go to gun shows–play video games in my free time. My favorite gun to shoot on the range is probably the .223. I also like to fish a little bit.”

BCP: What about your classes? What are you most interested in on the academic side of things?
DB: “My favorite classes right now–I’m pretty good at English and Science. I’m pretty good at writing and I like to write–I was thinking of getting into IT or Cybersecurity eventually.”

BCP: What did people across the line of scrimmage say to you the first time they saw you in pads?
DB: “They were all surprised I was playing football and not just basketball, but I just tried to ignore what the other teams say and simply do-what-I-do.”