Axle to Axle has nothing to do with being verticaly challenged. He should buy a bow that he feels good shooting. Go to all the pro shops or one that carrys many different lines of bows and shoot anything he can to get a feal for the different bows. He will figure out what feal good to him. Axle to Axle is over rated IMO .
X2! I am only 5'6" myself.. I shoot a 27" draw and I have shot numerous different ATA bows.. The most important factor when buying a bow - buy one that has the correct draw length! The biggest mistake numerous archers make is they want more speed so they increase their draw length.. Problem is, the bow doesn't fit them and it is less accurate. Generally the longer the ATA, the more forgiving a bow will be when it comes to hand torque etc because the riser is straighter, and they generally have a more generous brace height.. If you want a short bow, by the Mathews Z7 extreme, it's only 28" ATA.. Probably a good choice for speed for a shorter draw length as well.. Just go shoot some bows and find the one that feels best in your hands, and don't get caught up in the speed game because with a 26" draw length, your will never get the speed that a 29 or 30" draw lenght will.. Just get comfortable, and be accurate and you'll take down animals!