Does the term "Sumo" apply to both sides of the line? I think of it as a term for OL. Either way, being that obese is never healthy, and trying to make a football career out of being just very fat never works out. You need athleticism, strength, technique, footwork, etc. Pure fatties just get worn out quickly and outplayed.
Meanwhile, since we were talking about Isaiah Wilson earlier, found this gem of an old Titans DWF tweet on Twitter (right after the draft).
"Isaiah Wilson is a mauler and will be better than Conklin ever could be."
Talk about old takes exposed. Mauler? Better at what? Better at having extra fat and no desire to play? Meanwhile Conklin was a First Team All-Pro with the Browns.
One big problem is, this sumo trend starts before college. Look at how all the top schools recruit, and who the 4/5 star recruits usually are by the so-called "experts." Also "stacking"- many good White HS T are moved to G, and also G to C (both in college and NFL). Thus drying up the well at tackle and now guard, too.