RICHANDS, Va. --
During a pre-spring practice teleconference Monday, Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer announced that redshirt sophomore receiver Austin Fuller from Richlands had decided to transfer.
Moments later, the phone began ringing at the Richlands High School football office.
College football coaches from around the country were eager to ask Blue Tornado head coach Greg Mance about Fuller’s plans.
“Folks have been calling all week,†Mance said.
The 6-foot-2, 221-pound Fuller earned All-Group AA honors at Richlands where he established career records for receiving yardage (1,963), receptions (114) and receiving touchdowns (21).
Fuller started on the kickoff team this past season for the Hokies and was in rotation on the punt return squad. But Fuller caught just one pass in his career at Tech – an 11-yard reception during a 44-7 rout of Duke on Oct. 23.
According to Mance, Fuller’s decision to transfer came down to one basic reason.
“He just wanted to get on the field,†Mance said. “Austin was listed at No. 6 or 7 on the depth chart among receivers. The guys in front of him were really talented athletes, and most of them were in the same class as Austin.â€
After receiving his athletic release from Virginia Tech, Fuller made visits with the football staffs at North Texas State and Southern Methodist University over spring break.
Fuller was born in the in the heart of fabled Texas football country in the booming Dallas suburb of Carrollton, and his father still lives there. If Fuller transfers to an NCAA Division I school, he would be forced to sit out one year and will have just one remaining year of eligibility.
SMU is coached by free-spirited June Jones, a former NFL quarterback who generated huge offensive numbers working as the head coach at the University of Hawaii.
“SMU throws the ball about 50 times per game while using four and five wideouts. Any receiver would have fun in that system,†Mance said.
Mance said that the list of suitors for Fuller has also included Richmond, Liberty and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
“Austin wants to find a team that will throw the ball around. He hasn’t ruled out anybody, but he will have to make a decision here in the next few weeks,†Mance said.
Fuller played 29 snaps this season against the University of Miami, catching one pass that was negated due to a penalty.
“And he was in for about 10 snaps against North Carolina,†Mance said. “Once Austin got that taste of being out on the field, he wanted more.â€
Mance feels that his star pupil has all the essentials needed for a possession receiver.
“Coach Beamer said that Austin had the best hands on the team,†Mance said. “He just didn’t run fast enough to play ahead of the guys in front of him. I think Austin would make a great tight end.â€
http://www2.tricities.com/sports/2011/m ... ar-939786/
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 7:33 am