David Fangupo

David Fangupo signed with Oregon State

(Courtesy of Oregon State athletics)

The Oregon State Beavers had a desperate need at defensive tackle given the lack of depth at the position on the current roster, and found that Wednesday with Rivals three-star junior college standout David Fangupo, who signed after ending a long-time commitment to Utah.

But the big-bodied football star is also known as an internet sensation.

During Fangupo's senior season at Kealakehe High School (Hawaii), the 350-pound bruiser became an internet sensation by playing running back.

Rather well, actually.

ESPN columnist Rick Reilly featured him in 2013 and talked about his future at Hawaii, where he was set to become a lineman.

Here's an excerpt:

"I like it when elephants learn to paint. I like it when the bouncer is the best dancer at the club. I like piccolo solos by women built like bridge abutments.

That's why I like a Goliath named David.

David Fangupo, that is, the new 350-pound running back for the University of Hawaii Warriors.

That's right. A 350-pound running back. And not just some Fridge that plows straight ahead like a runaway grand piano into a pallet of eggs. Six-foot-2 Fangupo is a real running back, with the feet of Chris Brown and the size of Big Brown.

I, and almost a million other people, can't stop watching this clip of Fangupo this season at Kealakehe (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii) High School. We're transfixed by a man that big with 4.9 speed, the equivalent of a four-wheel drive vending machine on roller skates.

We're glued to how he churns ahead with four or five tacklers clinging to him, like remora on a whale. We're astonished by his twinkle toes, like watching a hippo dance an arabesque.

It's a giggle, really, to see a man that big running that fast over that many human beings. You watch the video. Fangupo is pulling away from people who could fit in one of his pant legs."

After a short stint with the Rainbow Warriors, Fangupo took a break from football before playing at Cerritos College and committing to Utah in July.

However, Fangupo recently de-committed from the Utes and became a bit of a signing day surprise for the Beavers.

The 6-foot-2, 325-pound athlete will line up at defensive tackle in Corvallis.

His running back days are over.

And we have another NLI to announce: #BeaverNation, welcome David Fangupo. #BuildTheDam16 pic.twitter.com/9CUbhiNyfh — Oregon State Football (@BeaverFootball) February 3, 2016

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec