'13 PA WR Will Fuller (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[Grahambo]

That must be comparing Fuller's stats this year to the sophomore years for the other listed players. Two of two of the guys are showing juco stats.

*Note to self... Always F5 if you've stepped away from the screen for a while. So this ^ doesn't happen.

.

 

[Irish Insanity]

"But he isn't a #1 reciever"-says alot of guys here.

Ding ding ding

Cooper only had four TDs last year???

No, the list is of 2nd season stats. Last year was his 3rd season.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Regardless of the "objections" to the sophomore year comparisons, could we give our guy some genuine props? He is a WONDERFUL wide receiver and his sophomore stats are great regardless of year. Where does the urge to deprecate what he did [and in a system which wasn't operating at peak efficiency] come from? Let's watch the pre-season All-American lists to see what outsiders think of our Will.

 

[BobbyMac]

Its great to see but keep expectations realistic. We could be looking at slightly different looking offense with more weapons available then last season to include a new OC who ran the ball 54% of the time last year.

And if he does put up lesser numbers then this season, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Just keep your head down Will and keep working hard.

If Fuller has equal stats this year, nothing has changed for 2015 and that's no bueno.

1. He'll need EG to be the starter. If MZ starts, there will be more running.

2. The RB's will be a year better.

3. The line looks like it turned the corner in the run game against LSU. They are also a year better, have their captain moving back to center and will be more talented physically.

4. The Irish lost no WR's. Everybody is a year better there too and they added a haul this class... including quite possibly the best receiver in the country, in Aliz'e Jones.

5. Isn't Coach notStanford gonna run it more after seeing what his team's skill set is with MZ under center... isn't he?

Yes / No?

.

 

[yankeeND]

This kid is so good! With another year to hone his skills, who knows how many records he could break next year? I would love to see this dude return kick-offs too. When he hits the seam, he gone!

 

[Crazy Balki]

He might have played hurt a few games, but he did play in 11 games in 2013.

From what I remembered he played most of the season with a foot injury and wasn't reported 100% until very late in the season.

 

[NDBoiler]

This kid is so good! With another year to hone his skills, who knows how many records he could break next year? I would love to see this dude return kick-offs too. When he hits the seam, he gone!

Yeah, but keep in mind that he's a toothpick, so if he gets hit, he might break in half

 

[Grahambo]

If Fuller has equal stats this year, nothing has changed for 2015 and that's no bueno.

1. He'll need EG to be the starter. If MZ starts, there will be more running.

2. The RB's will be a year better.

3. The line looks like it turned the corner in the run game against LSU. They are also a year better, have their captain moving back to center and will be more talented physically.

4. The Irish lost no WR's. Everybody is a year better there too and they added a haul this class... including quite possibly the best receiver in the country, in Aliz'e Jones.

5. Isn't Coach notStanford gonna run it more after seeing what his team's skill set is with MZ under center... isn't he?

Yes / No?

.

My biggest assumption as to why his numbers will go down somewhat is due to what I think could be a much improved running attack, especially if Zaire is the QB. I think with an OC who statistically ran the ball more last year, an improved OL, more weapons, and a truer spread option QB his individual numbers might decline somewhat.

That, or he could duplicate this year and still have everyone improve and ND's offense will turn out to be Top 10 in the nation.

Just my mid February opinion. Too much work left to be done which is why I bolded my 'thoughts' as they are purely and 100% speculation and guess work.

 

[Crazy Balki]

If Fuller has equal stats this year, nothing has changed for 2015 and that's no bueno.

1. He'll need EG to be the starter. If MZ starts, there will be more running. I couldn't disagree more. Yes if MZ starts, there will be more running, but not that much more. I think the major difference will be HOW ND runs the ball and how productive their runs will be. Fuller will still be the main receiving threat and with the change in philosophy, should find more open looks. That's how the running game will benefit him, not deter his looks. I don't think he'll end up with 76 receptions, but he should have similar yard production (probably less TD's since there will be more redzone threats this year).

2. The RB's will be a year better. I agree, but again, that should actually help Fuller, not hurt him. The emphasis on the run game will allow Fuller to get more open with the defense being forced to stay closer to the LOS, so they can focus on the tandem of Bryant, Folston and Zaire. This greatly benefits Fuller who has absolutely insane speed to make defenses pay for that.

3. The line looks like it turned the corner in the run game against LSU. They are also a year better, have their captain moving back to center and will be more talented physically. Having Stanley back and getting Martin back at Center is huge. It'll be interesting to see the progressions of McGlinchey and Elmer on the right side in pass protection, and whether Nelson takes the LG spot like I believe he will.

4. The Irish lost no WR's. Everybody is a year better there too and they added a haul this class... including quite possibly the best receiver in the country, in Aliz'e Jones. This could deter Fuller's production, simply by the utterly insane volume of receiving threats ND will have in 2015. You have Fuller and Robinson on one side, Prosise on the other, with Aliz'e split out wide...good luck defense. But this could simply increase his ypc by getting him better more open looks.

5. Isn't Coach notStanford gonna run it more after seeing what his team's skill set is with MZ under center... isn't he? More running, but a more efficient passing game will result in that changed philosophy. Overall, efficiency is the key word. Getting more out of the ground game to set up a more efficient passing attack.

Yes / No?

.

Answers bolded. ^

 

[phgreek]

Yeah, but keep in mind that he's a toothpick, so if he gets hit, he might break in half

So was Rocket...Lou lined him up at every position he could to get him touches, including special teams...granted Lou's teams blocked a gabaijillion % better on returns, but yea it is dangerous to be small and fast...makes for a big thumping when someone at 235 guesses right.

I expect Will Fuller will find the ball in his hands...alot. I'd be tickled if he took over all kick returns...GAIII with a little shimmy to him...woohoo! But I would like someone to get a little more serious on blocking up the return game...kinda not been good for a long time...if they are still going to suck at it, put a tight end back there...

 

[ulukinatme]

If you want to win the big games you gotta be skrong running the football. Run it behind that line with MZ, Folston, and Bryant, then play action to Fuller and Robinson ftw.

 

[BobbyMac]

My biggest assumption as to why his numbers will go down somewhat is due to what I think could be a much improved running attack, especially if Zaire is the QB. I think with an OC who statistically ran the ball more last year, an improved OL, more weapons, and a truer spread option QB his individual numbers might decline somewhat.

That, or he could duplicate this year and still have everyone improve and ND's offense will turn out to be Top 10 in the nation.

Just my mid February opinion. Too much work left to be done which is why I bolded my 'thoughts' as they are purely and 100% speculation and guess work.

When I / we speak about future stats and player performance, it's always an opinion... a semi-educated guess. No need to add all the extra verbiage. If I'm guaranteeing it, I'll add that.

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[GoldenToTheGrave]

If you ever had any question just how good Fuller's acceleration is, watch the first touchdown of the Music City bowl (Starts at 12:48)

<iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uZUqx_yPj48" frameborder="768" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's the kind of effortless acceleration that draws over the top safety help and makes defensive coordinators alter their game plans.

 

[irishfan]

If you ever had any question just how good Fuller's acceleration is, watch the first touchdown of the Music City bowl (Starts at 12:48)

<iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uZUqx_yPj48" frameborder="768" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's the kind of effortless acceleration that draws over the top safety help and makes defensive coordinators alter their game plans.

I loved that play for that reason. He had a similar one against FSU, but that burst against LSU was just stupid. I cant wait to see our WR corps next season, which is the main reason why I want Golson to win the QB job. May the better QB win, but I'd rather see Fuller/Robinson/Brown/Prosise in year 2 with Golson than risk working with a new QB.

 

[ThePiombino]

I loved that play for that reason. He had a similar one against FSU, but that burst against LSU was just stupid. I cant wait to see our WR corps next season, which is the main reason why I want Golson to win the QB job. May the better QB win, but I'd rather see Fuller/Robinson/Brown/Prosise in year 2 with Golson than risk working with a new QB.

It's either gonna be this season or next. The sooner the better, no?

 

[Old Man Mike]

Kelly has been saying for a long time that Will Fuller can "take the top off any defense." So, absolutely yes: opposing coaches must alter game plans to protect against him.

 

[kmoose]

If Fuller has equal stats this year, nothing has changed for 2015 and that's no bueno.

1. He'll need EG to be the starter. If MZ starts, there will be more running.

2. The RB's will be a year better.

3. The line looks like it turned the corner in the run game against LSU. They are also a year better, have their captain moving back to center and will be more talented physically.

4. The Irish lost no WR's. Everybody is a year better there too and they added a haul this class... including quite possibly the best receiver in the country, in Aliz'e Jones.

5. Isn't Coach notStanford gonna run it more after seeing what his team's skill set is with MZ under center... isn't he?

Yes / No?

.

I'm expecting Fuller to have roughly the same statistical year, this coming year, as last year. There were only about 40 guys who gained more than 1,000 receiving yards last year, so he was in the elite classification of that category. Only 2 receivers had more receiving touchdowns than Fuller, so he was in the elite classification of that category. His 5.8 catches per game put him in, or very close to, the elite classification of that category. I think that the emergence of other aspects of Kelly's offense, in particular the running game, are going to help Fuller. I think his number of touches will go down, but he will maintain the same productivity in terms of yards and TDs. Some teams are going to have to cheat a safety up to help against the run, and that is going to open up some big plays for Fuller.

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm expecting Fuller to have roughly the same statistical year, this coming year, as last year. There were only about 40 guys who gained more than 1,000 receiving yards last year, so he was in the elite classification of that category. Only 2 receivers had more receiving touchdowns than Fuller, so he was in the elite classification of that category. His 5.8 catches per game put him in, or very close to, the elite classification of that category. I think that the emergence of other aspects of Kelly's offense, in particular the running game, are going to help Fuller. I think his number of touches will go down, but he will maintain the same productivity in terms of yards and TDs. Some teams are going to have to cheat a safety up to help against the run, and that is going to open up some big plays for Fuller.

Well put. I agree all that is possible.

What I see as being different next year if MZ is the primary QB or at least when MZ is playing is that plays will not be extended like they were with EG. EG made a lot of pass plays happen after the initial routes were ran and players were breaking to open spots or back to the ball. Think about how many times you saw that with Oregon or Ohio State under JT Barrett. ND will be more like that, immediate and decisive with MZ under center as he is a read, react then run player. He is not a play extender. If he doesn't see what he likes from the pass game, he takes off and gets what yardage he can now then lines up again. How many did he throw away against LSU or SC?

Back to Fuller. If he gets the targets, I think he can still have a good yardage total but his YAC will have to be much higher. I can't see him with the same amount of total catches next year. I'd put the O/U at 48 if MZ played every down, higher obviously depending how many snaps EG gets.

That's not a knock on WF. If all the same conditions existed and MZ would have inherited Tyler Eifert after his great year, I think his production would have been less also. Eifert was to Rees what Fuller was to Golson, the #1 option on an offense not firing on all cylinders. If you remember, Eifert had less production in '12 than in '11... sorta the same thing I'm seeing will happen next year.

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[Veritate Duce Progredi]

In one game where Malk Zaire was QB, Fuller's stats were almost near his average. With 9 total targets his stats were:


5 rec 57 yds 1TD* which did tie his 4th lowest catch total from last season but if we extrapolate those numbers across a 13 game & 15 game season (because it's our year), we get:

65 rec, 741 yds, 13 TD
75 rec, 805 yds, 15 TD

2 rec & 25 yds were attributable to Golson.

He was not a big piece of the game plan either, I would think next year he'll be given double digit chances every game unless they start to double him (which I don't think most teams can afford.)

Of course, a sole data point extrapolation must be taken with a grain of salt. We'll see Zaire and Fuller's linear plot normalize over next season. Let's hope for exponential growth.

 

[RDU Irish]

Undersized WRs don't get much benefit of the doubt in the NFL draft. If this profile is correct and Fuller came on campus at 165 pounds then I think he benefits from two more years on campus to 1) fill out physically, 2) show 3 years of 1000 yard production at a top tier school. If he were to emerge as a premier kick returner I would feel more at risk of him leaving early. NFL has definitely recognized elite kick returners and putting that feather in his cap would make up for concerns about being too small for an NFL #1 WR (I don't know how you argue he hasn't earned CFB #1 treatment).

Bigger question, do we risk him going pro next year? I don't have much doubt he will put up another 1000 yard season (or close to it) and his 40 won't disappoint.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Since when is Fuller an undersized WR? Jeez he hasn't missed a game his college career (knock on wood)


Sent via tapatalk

 

[Crazy Balki]

Since when is Fuller an undersized WR? Jeez he hasn't missed a game his college career (knock on wood)


Sent via tapatalk

In terms of NFL WR's, he is undersized. Generally, NFL wideouts that succeed are in the 6'2-6'5 range and are 210-230. It's not just height, but Fuller is around 180 pounds. So he doesn't possess much bulk to him, on top of having rather average to below average height. Though he does make up for it with just ridiculous burst and good speed.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

6'1" is. Not below average height, it's average.

Scouts have already noticed Will Fuller as he pops out on film. If able to go into the draft this year he would have been a 2-3
Round pick.

Randall Cobb, D jax, Brandon Cooks they are all to small to play WR in the league.


Sent via tapatalk

 

[Crazy Balki]

6'1" is. Not below average height, it's average.

Scouts have already noticed Will Fuller as he pops out on film. If able to go into the draft this year he would have been a 2-3
Round pick.

Randall Cobb, D jax, Brandon Cooks they are all to small to play WR in the league.


Sent via tapatalk

We'll have to see how he progresses this year. That being said, he doesn't compare to any of those 3 guys. All of them are smaller, more explosive guys and double as punt/kick returners. That boosted their stock, Cobb and Jackson moreso.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>How does Will Fuller follow up his monster 2014Michiganseason? <a href="http://t.co/np4S7bEm0P">http://t.co/np4S7bEm0P</a></p>— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDonNBC/status/584035699734618113">April 3, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> ND A-to-Z: Will Fuller - Will Fuller’s first two seasons put him on Golden Tate’s track. Irish I... <a href="http://t.co/rmccZh0Jrs">http://t.co/rmccZh0Jrs</a></p>— Notre Dame on Scout (@NDonScout) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDonScout/status/600301168884060160">May 18, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/herloyalsons">@herloyalsons</a>: Straight Expectations: Chapter One – WillMichiganFuller <a href="http://t.co/uj6h9qo8tu">http://t.co/uj6h9qo8tu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/herloyalsons">@herloyalsons</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDFB?src=hash">#NDFB</a> <a href="http://t.co/VaFBTWtMlc">pic.twitter.com/VaFBTWtMlc</a></p>— 1842 Horsemen (@1842Horsemen) <a href="https://twitter.com/1842Horsemen/status/603541719095771136">May 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bogtrotter07]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/herloyalsons">@herloyalsons</a>: Straight Expectations: Chapter One – WillMichiganFuller <a href="http://t.co/uj6h9qo8tu">http://t.co/uj6h9qo8tu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/herloyalsons">@herloyalsons</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDFB?src=hash">#NDFB</a> <a href="http://t.co/VaFBTWtMlc">pic.twitter.com/VaFBTWtMlc</a></p>— 1842 Horsemen (@1842Horsemen) <a href="https://twitter.com/1842Horsemen/status/603541719095771136">May 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"If you think that is fast [Indy 500], wait till you see our offense next year."

Brian Kelly.

Feelin' his oats?

 

[pumpdog20]

ESPN Insider article, but Kiper has Fuller as the #2 non senior WR behind Laquon Treadwell:

2. Will Fuller, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: He lacks elite size and isn't even the best-known pass-catcher on his own team, but Fuller -- a reliable pass-catcher with separation skills and an ability to beat any kind of coverage -- doesn't have any clear weaknesses. He should become more of a household name in 2015.


Curious, who's considered to have better hands on the team currently?

Mel Kiper's early ranking of top WR prospects for 2016 NFL draft

 

[woolybug25]

ESPN Insider article, but Kiper has Fuller as the #2 non senior WR behind Laquon Treadwell:

2. Will Fuller, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: He lacks elite size and isn't even the best-known pass-catcher on his own team, but Fuller -- a reliable pass-catcher with separation skills and an ability to beat any kind of coverage -- doesn't have any clear weaknesses. He should become more of a household name in 2015.


Curious, who's considered to have better hands on the team currently?

Mel Kiper's early ranking of top WR prospects for 2016 NFL draft

Who is our "best known passer catcher" then?