Will Fuller has had an up and down stretch of football since he arrived to the Houston Texans as a speedy wide receiver out of Notre Dame in 2016. Fuller is the epitome of what hard work looks like, especially if you think of where he started as a rookie. Currently weighing around 185 lbs., which he confirmed during training camp, Fuller worked with the new strength and conditioning group and put on 15 to 20 lbs. just this past off-season.
Asking Fuller what he would tell his rookie self to prepare for the NFL, he said with a smile, “Try to put on some weight to prevent injuries.”
A broken collarbone suffered during training camp in 2017 and a rib issue which cost him time mid-season, then suffering a week 17 knee injury that required a clean up were real wake up calls for Fuller to buckle down and make sure he was available. This season did not start as expected after injuring his hamstring prior to the third preseason game, causing him to miss the season opener against the New England Patriots.
Healthy and showing up in week two with a clear impact for the offense, Fuller showed he can flip the field and make defenses have to defend the entire field. It starts with his route running and Fuller has always tried to develop his craft since he started his football journey in high school.
“Really it came natural for me out of high school,” Fuller said of his route running. “Hard to believe, I wasn’t as fast I was now. I used to work my craft a lot in high school and in college especially with guys over there at Notre Dame. I learned a lot of the tips and tricks and just kept it with me and try to use those to attack the DB.”
That building of his craft has led to some gaudy numbers with Deshaun Watson at QB, posting an 8 receptions for 113 yards and a 39-yard touchdown reception against the Titans this past Sunday. Watson has brought the best out of Fuller and in just five games together, Fuller has 21 receptions (67.7% catch rate) while averaging 18.6 yard per reception, 12.6 yard per targets, and 8 touchdowns.
Fuller credits his success with playing next to DeAndre Hopkins, allowing him to get favorable matchups on the field.
“It is so fun playing with Hop(kins),” Fuller explained. “I feel like the energy is so much higher when he is out here and we are playing together. Everything just flows better, so, I love playing with him. I hope to play my whole career with him.”
Now one of the veterans of the wide receiver group, Fuller knows he has to be an example to the younger players in the room. There is one thing Fuller takes into account: that he was once that rookie. However, he is an open book for the younger players to talk to about the offense or anything else that comes up regarding life in the NFL.
“It is awesome,” Fuller said of being a veteran with the Texans. “I am a lot more comfortable in the locker room, I know all the guys. So, it is good to see young guys come in and remembering I was there two years ago.”
With a tough start to the season, Fuller feels fortunate to be back on the field and making progress with an offense that has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL. Sometimes, Fuller is a man of few words but now he is back to making plays on the field and despite the early issue with his hamstring, he is full steam ahead and relishing his role as a leader.
“I feel good,” Fuller explained. ”But there is always room to improve.”