TWO-A-DAYS: Belated 81 Days to Kickoff - Brandon Fulse

A tight end? A tight end!

THE RECRUIT

Out of Fort Meade HS in Florida, Brandon Fulse was a 4* recruit in the 2011 class. While the Tigers already had CJ Uzomah on board in the same class, Gus had his eyes on Fulse more for the H-back position. Fulse was a big body who could block out of the backfield, but was also athletic enough to at least be a threat to catch a pass, catching 43 balls for 730 yards his senior year of high school.

Fulse committed to Auburn on national television over UNC, Tennesse, and Miami.

THE PLAYER

Though Fulse never burst out in a big way on the Plains, he was a solid role player his entire career. While Phillip Lutzenkirchen and later CJ Uzomah saw most of the snaps at the receiving tight end/Y position, Fulse was able to contribute as an extra blocker in Gus Malzahn’s offense.

Fulse started two games his freshman year and a few more his sophomore in relief of Lutzie when he was injured. His most notable moment as a Tiger may have come in 2013, when he caught a 2 pt conversion on the swinging gate play* from holder Ryan White, a formation which infuriated a certain other SEC head coach.

When Jay Prosch left for the NFL after the 2013 season, Fulse was finally able own the h-back position. HOwever, his taking that job coincided with Auburn de-emphasizing the read-option and power run game in favor of developing Marshall as a passer, so the h-back role was diminished compared to previous seasons.

Just based on numbers alone, Fulse did not have a super-star career at Auburn. It’s possible he was underutilized, and honestly his lack of playing time may have been the birth of the “Auburn doesn’t play tight ends” stereotype. He contributed when called on, though, and you need those types of guys on your team.

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2019/6/13/18677739/two-a-days-belated-81-days-to-kickoff-brandon-fulse-auburn-tigers