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

[Irish Insanity]

Am I the only one that thinks we could potentially have an all around better offense if Will leaves?

I feel he's relied on way too heavily in the offense. I want a balanced offense with balanced targets.

Also, his replacement will be either Hunter shifting over, or Equanimeous. Either way, should have quite a bit more size and could help in the red zone.

Honestly, Will is much more effective outside the 20s, wish he didn't get as many snaps in the red zone. He's not physical enough to box out in the endzone and his hands aren't reliable. Hard to make basket catches off the chest in the endzone...

If Kizer ends up being the man it'll force him to go thru his progressions more.

 

[ThePiombino]

Unless ESB takes over and matches Fuller's productivity.

 

[IrishLax]

Per rumors from another site, he is going pro.

 

[Booslum31]

Per rumors from another site, he is going pro.

Dang.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Expected, if true. Appreciate all the TDs Thrill Will!

 

[NDRock]

Was really hoping he would be the one guy to stay. Loved watching him play. Good luck.

 

[EvilleIrish]

Per rumors from another site, he is going pro.

It might just me be, but I don't see him grading out high enough to justify leaving early. His hands are too small which means he has to body catch everything. That being said, I'm sure he will run something crazy that will catch somebody's eye.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Wouldn't you go pro? After watching Jaylon, Kap, kid from South Carolina. Too much money to give up with an injury. If he is close to getting his degree, I can't blame him.

And seeing how we ended the year, and being further away from a National Championship than maybe they all thought. Getting physically dominated by a team outside the playoff.

Thanks for the Thrills Will. Great job

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

It might just me be, but I don't see him grading out high enough to justify leaving early. His hands are too small which means he has to body catch everything. That being said, I'm sure he will run something crazy that will catch somebody's eye.

I hope he does tear it up at the combine/pro day and he gets selected high. If our guys are going to bolt, I want them to go high and secure a nice contract. Fuller has elite speed and should be able to produce in the pros.

 

[NDRock]

Wouldn't you go pro? After watching Jaylon, Kap, kid from South Carolina. Too much money to give up with an injury. If he is close to getting his degree, I can't blame him.

And seeing how we ended the year, and being further away from a National Championship than maybe they all thought. Getting physically dominated by a team outside the playoff.

Thanks for the Thrills Will. Great job

Agree, wouldn't besurprised if the Jaylon injury was t a wake up call for the guys on the fence. I know it would me if I was in that position.

 

[Rizzophil]

It might just me be, but I don't see him grading out high enough to justify leaving early. His hands are too small which means he has to body catch everything. That being said, I'm sure he will run something crazy that will catch somebody's eye.

He's never going to be a top 10 guy. He will fall into top 40 this year and next year. Makes sense to me.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

It might just me be, but I don't see him grading out high enough to justify leaving early. His hands are too small which means he has to body catch everything. That being said, I'm sure he will run something crazy that will catch somebody's eye.

He is coming off back to back 1000+ yard seasons with 14 and 15 touchdowns. His hands aren't suddenly going to get bigger in one offseason. He runs good enough routes to stay in a league a long time and I doubt he ever changes his catching style, because would mean a complete overall of what got him there.

He also isn't going to magically going to get 10lbs heavier either.

If Will stays, it would be for a shot at the Playoffs. He can put up 60 catches for 1400 yards and 20 tds next year and not improve his draft stock. He is always going to be the 6'0 185lb 4.4 guy.

It's kind of like Prosise. If he returns, how much more does he have to gain? Obviously, Fuller is probably going to get drafted higher, but I am not sure he is ever going to break into the "must take" WR category.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I honestly wouldn't use a 1st or 2nd round pick on him.

He's way too weak and has near miserable hands.

 

[GATTACA!]

He is coming off back to back 1000+ yard seasons with 14 and 15 touchdowns. His hands aren't suddenly going to get bigger in one offseason. He runs good enough routes to stay in a league a long time and I doubt he ever changes his catching style, because would mean a complete overall of what got him there.

He also isn't going to magically going to get 10lbs heavier either.

If Will stays, it would be for a shot at the Playoffs. He can put up 60 catches for 1400 yards and 20 tds next year and not improve his draft stock. He is always going to be the 6'0 185lb 4.4 guy.

It's kind of like Prosise. If he returns, how much more does he have to gain? Obviously, Fuller is probably going to get drafted higher, but I am not sure he is ever going to break into the "must take" WR category.

Working on your hands isn't like changing a golf swing. He definitely needs to work on his hands, that will be the biggest negative on any scouting report. Procise is probably at his ceiling right now.

 

[Junkhead]

I honestly wouldn't use a 1st or 2nd round pick on him.

He's way too weak and has near miserable hands.

I love what he has done at ND, but could see him getting beat up in the NFL. There is a place for him in the League somewhere, but I don't know if I'd take him in the first 2 rounds either. Golden Tate is a bit shorter and 15lbs heavier, but his hands were outstanding.

 

[Grahambo]

I love what he has done at ND, but could see him getting beat up in the NFL. There is a place for him in the League somewhere, but I don't know if I'd take him in the first 2 rounds either. Golden Tate is a bit shorter and 15lbs heavier, but his hands were outstanding.

His ceiling in my opinion is Victor Cruz. Roughly the same size although Cruz was listed as 206 lbs. Ran the 40 in the 4.47 range and his hands are pretty rough.

2011 - 7 drops - 10th most
2012 - 11 drops - 4th most

 

[Domina Nostra]

His ceiling in my opinion is Victor Cruz. Roughly the same size although Cruz was listed as 206 lbs. Ran the 40 in the 4.47 range and his hands are pretty rough.

2011 - 7 drops - 10th most
2012 - 11 drops - 4th most

I would be suprised if Will weighed 187, much less 207. When you are talking dlinemen, 20 lbs can be attained realistically. Will Fuller is not going to get 20 lbs heavier without slowing himself down significantly. He's a speed guy, and that is going to be his protection in the NFL. If that sounds dangerous, it is!

 

[phork]

Man that sucks for us as fans. I've enjoyed watching this kid play. We'll always have memories of him outrunning our USC friend. Ahhhh... memories.

 

[fightingirish26]

He could come back for a shot at the playoffs, and a chance to get in the record books. I'm pretty sure he isn't far off of Floyd's career TD record

 

[NDVirginia19]

I think he and CJ have really important combines. If will Fuller runs below 4.4, he can maybe slip into round 3. Does anyone have any idea at all what he's going to run?

 

[Booslum31]

He is coming off back to back 1000+ yard seasons with 14 and 15 touchdowns. His hands aren't suddenly going to get bigger in one offseason. He runs good enough routes to stay in a league a long time and I doubt he ever changes his catching style, because would mean a complete overall of what got him there.

He also isn't going to magically going to get 10lbs heavier either.

If Will stays, it would be for a shot at the Playoffs. He can put up 60 catches for 1400 yards and 20 tds next year and not improve his draft stock. He is always going to be the 6'0 185lb 4.4 guy.

It's kind of like Prosise. If he returns, how much more does he have to gain? Obviously, Fuller is probably going to get drafted higher, but I am not sure he is ever going to break into the "must take" WR category.

I think he is a 3rd or 4th round pick. As discussed, his hands are one thing but I'm more concerned with his durability at his size. I remeber on some of his bubble screens he got rag-dolled and I was afraid he wouldn't get up...he's going to get hit a whole lot harder in the NFL. With his speed and route running he'll certainly be able to get open and stetch the field though.

 

[arrowryan]

There aren't very many benefits for him leaving early IMO

 

[Grahambo]

I would be suprised if Will weighed 187, much less 207. When you are talking dlinemen, 20 lbs can be attained realistically. Will Fuller is not going to get 20 lbs heavier without slowing himself down significantly. He's a speed guy, and that is going to be his protection in the NFL. If that sounds dangerous, it is!

I wasn't implying he would add the weight. Just meant in terms of height, speed, and hands he reminded of Victor Cruz. Cruz was also a UDFA out of UMass and Will will get drafted in the middle rounds. Cruz was also a slot receiver in the NFL but ran a 4.47 so if Will is predicted to run a 4.4, perhaps more of a poor man's Desean Jackson would be his ceiling.

Regardless, if he leaves, definitely cannot fault him.

 

[IrishLax]

I honestly wouldn't use a 1st or 2nd round pick on him.

He's way too weak and has near miserable hands.

How do you feel about DeSean Jackson?

 

[irishfan]

How do you feel about DeSean Jackson?

This completely. He'll always be compared to DeSean, and he's been a gamebreaker for any team that has had a competent offense. Everytime would kill to have a level-headed DeSean on their team. He also showed up to the Combine at 169 pounds, and was still a 2nd rounder.

Fuller will also be compared to Devin Smith from OSU a bunch. He went 37th overall last year running a 4.42 at 6'0" 196 pounds. He probably has about 20 lbs on Fuller, but Fuller's tape is way better.

Is it worth leaving now and being the 50th pick as opposed to staying and being the 30th pick?

Last year, the 50th pick got a 4-year deal for $4,569,690 ($1,142,423 average) with $2,611,125 guaranteed.

The 30th pick got a 4-year deal for $7,915,734 ($1,978,934 average) with $5,966,315 guaranteed. The signing bonus alone ($4,016,897) is close to the equivalent of the contract for the 50th overall player.

The question, like many already raised, is whether or not it is realistic that he can raise his draft stock or not by coming back or if he is locked in as an undersized burner with question marks.

 

[TheChosen1]

I honestly wouldn't use a 1st or 2nd round pick on him.

He's way too weak and has near miserable hands.

But you will cheer for him as hard as you can and love him if he stays. Fighting Irish lover 7.

 

[NDVirginia19]

I see a team like Tampa Bay or Carolina who needs a burner taking a chance on him in late second/third round. Although the Panthers already have a fast wr with suspect hands in Ted Ginn...

 

[Jasher]

I see a team like Tampa Bay or Carolina who needs a burner taking a chance on him in late second/third round. Although the Panthers already have a fast wr with suspect hands in Ted Ginn...

Green Bay could use a guy that could stretch the field.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Green Bay could use a guy that could stretch the field.

Fuller combined with Cobb and Nelson would be nasty

 

[IrishLax]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"What do you want to be when you grow up?" <a href="https://t.co/9jLfnDTNuP">pic.twitter.com/9jLfnDTNuP</a></p>— Will Fuller V (@Will_Fuller7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Will_Fuller7/status/683723130842419200">January 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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