Will Fuller Declares For The NFL Draft
Junior receiver Will Fuller announced Sunday that he will enter the 2016 NFL Draft.
Fuller joins senior running back C.J. Prosise and senior left tackle Ronnie Stanley as players with eligibility remaining that have opted for the pros rather than return to Notre Dame.
In 2015, Fuller caught 62 passes for 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns. One year ago, he snagged 76 passes for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns.
"First, I would like to start off by thanking my coaches, family, teammates, friends and fans that have supported me throughout my football career," Fuller said in a statement.
"The University of Notre Dame is not just a learning institution. It has afforded me an incomparable life experience, and for this, I will forever be grateful. Playing with Team #127 is an experience I will always celebrate and I have made brothers for life.
"My heart truly wanted to return to Notre Dame, but it has also been a lifelong dream to play football in the NFL. After taking all of this into lengthy consideration, I believe it is in my best interest to forgo my senior season and enter the 2016 draft.
"Again, thank you for all the support and I hope you continue on this journey with me."
Fuller again was the unquestioned leader in terms of production for the receiving corps and also came up with a pair of game-winning touchdown receptions — at Virginia and at Temple.
In November, Fuller told reporters that he would return for his senior season in 2016, but later decided to consider his options.
He was named team MVP at the awards banquet Dec. 11.
DraftCountdown.com analyst Scott Wright projected Fuller as a Day 2 (rounds 2 and 3) pick.
“Hands. That's the biggest thing [he needs to work on]. He still has too many drops. Pretty much on an every-game basis there's one or two balls he drops that he should catch. That is the biggest thing. If he comes out this year, I think he'll be more in the Day 2 [rounds 2 and 3] range,” he said. “I don't think he'll be a first-round pick but I will say that it is kind of crowded at wide receiver right now after Laquon Treadwell of Ole Miss, who's another underclassman. After that, Will Fuller would probably be in the conversation of that next group of a half-dozen wideouts in this class. At the same time, I think he'd be more of a Day 2 pick just because of inconsistent hands and a little bit of a slight build. He doesn't necessarily have that prototypical bulk that you look for.”
Fuller scored on an 81-yard touchdown reception in the 44-28 loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Friday.
Among players that received NFL Draft advisory board feedback, only junior linebacker Jaylon Smith and senior cornerback KeiVarae Russell have yet to announce their decisions.
Smith had said he would announce a day or two after the Fiesta Bowl, but that was before he suffered a "significant knee injury," as head coach Brian Kelly said after the game.
Russell indicated in the locker room after the loss that he will make an announcement "soon."