Fighting Irish Fans Expect Great 2015 Season From Will Fuller

Going into last season, Will Fuller gave no indication about what type of season he would have. Although he played in all 13 games the year before, he had only a handful of catches. But last season he dominated defensive backs even though he is 6’0”, 180 lbs. He had the greatest Sophomore season for a Wide Receiver in Notre Dame history. He had a very good, but not a great high school career.

Will Fuller attended Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. He was a three year starter at Receiver and Defensive Back. During his Senior season in 2012, he had 57 receptions for 930 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was Honorable Mention All-State his Junior year and First Team All-State his Senior year. He received some national honors as he was rated the 22nd best Receiver in the Scout 300 list and was chosen for Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.

Fuller had a very interesting recruitment. He was rated as three star Receiver and did not receive many offers. The colleges who recruited him were Temple, Kent State, Boston College, and Penn State. He committed to Penn State in June, 2012, but changed his mind after Penn State football was hit with sanctions due to the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He visited the Notre Dame campus later that summer and gave his commitment immediately after that visit.

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During his freshman season in 2013, Fuller played in all 13 games and started in 3. For the year he had 6 catches for 160 yards and one touchdown. His more prolific game came against the Air Force Academy when he caught 2 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Fuller started all 13 games during his sophomore season and what a spectacular season it was! He caught 76 passes for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns. These were all records for a Fighting Irish sophomore wide receiver. Fuller out ran and out jumped defenders for many of his catches. 8 of Fuller’s 15 touchdown catches went for 20 yards or more and he registered 19 catches of 20 yards or more. Perhaps the significant stat line for Fuller was that 51 of 76 receptions went for a first down or for a touchdown,

Among his best games were: 9 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown against Michigan. Against Purdue, Fuller had 6 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. He caught 7 passes for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns against North Carolina. He had 8 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown against Florida State. In the loss to Arizona State, Fuller caught 6 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. In his greatest game, Will had 9 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown against L.S.U. in the Music City Bowl.

It’s hard to imagine Will having the type of season he had last year, but if anyone can do it, he can. He runs great routes and combines that with great speed and great jumping ability. He also has an advantage that others don’t have – a plethora of other great wide receivers. Amir Carlisle will start at slot receiver, along with Torii Hunter, Jr. Chris Brown will share the boundary receiver position with Corey Robinson. They will all be backed up by sophomores Corey Holmes and Justin Brent and freshmen C. J. Sanders, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jalon Guyton, and Miles Boykin.

It will be interesting to watch Fuller this season. His obvious skills, along with his determination, could help him have another unbelievable season. If he does, he could enter the pantheon of great Notre Dame wide receivers.