Fuller (Chronicle)

[wbtfg]

Another nice article by Mr. Dumas...well done sir.

MSU football: Andre Fuller growing amidst a world of change

By TIM DUMAS, Chronicle Sports Writer

In football, they're called audibles. In life, adjustments.

Andre Fuller has made them all. But it has taken time.

He's made the transition from offense to defense - earning his stripes after a freshman season full of growing pains last year.

The pains of growing up without a father came years earlier.

When you're 10 and your dad dies of heart failure, there is no understanding, no comprehension.

"That hit me hard, I thought it was the doctor's fault," said Fuller, now 21 and one of Montana State's starting cornerbacks. "You know, I was a kid."

That kid grew up to graduate third in a class of 500 at Coconut Creek High in Pompano Beach, Fla. He was a team captain who was named offensive MVP as a senior and was a member of the student council.

Fuller's smarts attracted interest from Harvard. His football ability brought in coaches from Delaware and Northern Illinois, a Division I-A school that recruited him as a receiver.

But he chose Bozeman, even though it meant switching to defense. Three years later, he's become a mainstay in MSU's secondary.

"This is the best outcome for me," he said. "Everything happens for a reason."

Fuller was recruited by John Rushing - MSU's secondary coach from 2000-2002 who is now cornerbacks coach at Utah State. Fuller arrived at Montana State the year after linebacker Clive Lowe landed here out of Douglas High in Coral Springs, a 10-mile drive from Pompano Beach.

The south Florida cities are at the opposite end of the country, but loaded with talent.

"We recruit Broward County as if it's just over the hill from Broadus, Montana," MSU coach Mike Kramer said, only half-joking.

In addition to his four years of wideout duty at Coconut Creek, Fuller played safety. But after a redshirt season two years ago, he started 10 games at cornerback in 2004, mostly because of numerous injuries to the Bobcat secondary.

He was thrown into the fire and, of course, was burnt.

"Last year I was real nervous, had a lot of butterflies," he said. "I was basically trying not to get beat too bad."

This year, Fuller is still keeping the position warm until Eddie Smith and Chris Davis recover from their injuries. Only this time, when those players become healthy, Fuller is likely headed to his natural position of safety rather than the sidelines.

Switching defensive positions won't be difficult. Moving from offense to defense was.

"It was hard at first, but if you have the right coaches and the right mindset, anything's possible," Fuller said. "I always like to hit."

Oklahoma State quarterback Donovan Woods knows that well.

On Saturday, Fuller came from behind and blasted Woods, knocking the ball loose, a fumble that was recovered by fellow Floridian Lowe. The play led to MSU's lone touchdown and Fuller being named the team's defensive player of the game.

All part of the job.

"It was thrilling for me," Fuller said. "We're trying to give the offense that extra push to get that seven (points). That's what we're looking for."

Fuller learned to love sports because of his father. But he was pushed to do well in school by his mother.

"My mom didn't play any games about that," hesaid. "Grades are first, sports are second."

He does combine the two, however.

"He's a smart player," Kramer said. "I think he's well on his way to eventually becoming a team captain."

Fuller just desires to get better. As a player and as a person.

"I'm maturing, I'm progressing on and off the field," he said. "That's what most important. That we grow."

Andre Fuller

Born: Aug. 17, 1984.

Coconut Creek High School: Four years of varsity football; team captain and offensive MVP as a senior. Played against Tyrone Moss, now Miami's starting tailback, and H.B. Blades, who was a first team all-Big East linebacker at Pittsburgh last year. Played two years of varsity basketball as a shooting guard.

Graduated third in his class.

Montana State: Started 10 games last year, registering 44 tackles, including season-high six against Colorado State. Opened 2005 season by making six unassisted tackles against Oklahoma State, two for a loss, including one that forced a fumble.

ETC: Cousin Jeffrey Willis is a junior linebacker at Tennessee State.

[Cat Grad]

Don't let Micky see he played shooting guard

[mslacat]

Don't let Micky see he played shooting guard

We're loaded @ shooting guard right now, don't worry!