2016 NFL Prospect Watch: Will Fuller

Oct 17, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller (7) catches a pass for a 75 yard touchdown against the Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL scouting media mainly have their eyes on Notre Dame Left tackle Ronnie Stanley and outside linebacker Jaylon Smith. But after their big win against traditional rival USC, more of those eyes should be on receiver Will Fuller. Those eyes should have been on Fuller for a while now as he is nothing new in college football.

He abused Ronald Darby, now doing well with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, when matched up on him. But I have yet to see where he’s even a draftable player in the eye’s of the NFL scouting media. I can’t find him on anyone’s list of NFL prospects at all and he should be regarded as a top prospect at his position.

He comes from head coach Brian Kelly’s pro style system that he added some Spread Offense concepts to adapt to some of his players. He’s an explosive, sudden route-runner that can separate from a defender in a split second. He does a good job of finding windows for his quarterback against the zone and he runs well after the catch.

But the most impressive thing about Fuller is no matter who you are, he can blow right past you. He even has another gear for when his quarterback appears to have thrown the ball out of his reach. The scouting media must be holding the fact that he’s only 6’0″, 185 pounds and not 6’5″, 225, against him.

On Saturday, against a solid USC secondary, Fuller showed that he’s exceptional enough to not be measured by that standard. He only had three catches but they were big ones for 131 yards and a 75-yard touchdown. Fuller has been a big-play man for Notre Dame all year, tied at No. 10 in the FBS in receiving 702 yards and No. 3 in average for those over 20 catches at 21.9

He has all the traits and production you need.

What’s the scouting world waiting for?

They’ll know who he is when he runs his 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine!