Over the next five days, Gator Country will preview the players that make up the 2013 Florida Gators football team as we inch closer and closer to the season.
Each day we will count down using the player whose jersey number corresponds with how many days there are left until Florida kicks off against Toledo in The Swamp on August 31.
Today we take a look at freshman receiver Ahmad Fulwood.
History
Fulwood was a big-time receiver prospect from Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida. Fulwood chose to attend Florida over other scholarships from Alabama, Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Southern Cal.
Fulwood was one of the first players to commit to Florida in the 2013 recruiting class and he not only didn’t waiver in that commitment, but also helped to recruit for the Gators throughout the recruiting cycle.
Player Evaluation
Strengths
6’5” receivers with good straight-line speed and leaping ability don’t grow on trees. Fulwood has a huge wingspan and is a big target for his quarterback. He is an above average route runner and really competes for the ball when it’s in the air. Being such a big receiver, Fulwood is tough for smaller defensive backs to bring down. He isn’t afraid to go over the middle and can rack on some serious YAC if given a little bit of space.
Despite being a little on the lean side, Fulwood is a very active blocker who uses good leverage and can be counted on to block until the whistle blows.
Weaknesses
Fulwood is a little raw as far as some of his technique is concerned. He is a little stiff coming in and out of his breaks and really doesn’t explode out of his cuts. Being such a tall receiver, Fulwood struggles to breakdown quickly and usually has to decelerate into a cut rather than being able to simply plant a foot and go.
What to Expect
Fulwood was the gem of the class among Florida’s four receivers until Demarcus Robinson joined at the last minute. With Robinson enrolling early, most fans put Fulwood in the back of their mind, but the young receiver didn’t take long to remind fans why they were excited about him in the first place.
Will Muschamp has said that both Fulwood and Robinson will play major roles for the Gators this season and Fulwood was listed as one of five receivers who is currently standing out as the Gators prepare to faceoff against Toledo.