Gators receiver Ahmad Fulwood flashes the bulldozer side of his personality
Wednesday, September 16, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jim McElwain has seen what junior receiver Ahmad Fulwood can do when he runs around people. Fulwood scored an 86-yard touchdown when he took a quick screen pass in the Birmingham Bowl and outran East Carolina defenders to the end zone.
But in preseason camp, McElwain challenged the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Fulwood to show another side to his game. More specifically, the physical side.
The Gators had 14 players catch a pass in the season opener, but Fulwood, a junior from Jacksonville, was not one of them. In a rematch with East Carolina on Saturday, Fulwood showed up with two catches for 15 yards.
Those aren't exactly eye-opening numbers from Florida's 31-24 victory over the Pirates.
Still, Fulwood raised some eyebrows on one of the catches – and he lost a contact in the process.
On first-and-15 from East Carolina's 28-yard line late in the second quarter, Fulwood took a screen pass from quarterback Treon Harris behind the line of scrimmage and charged ahead like a bull racing through the streets of Pamplona.
East Carolina defensive back Rocco Scarfone – all 5-8, 178 pounds of him – paid the price when he tried to tackle Fulwood.
“That was just some built up stuff,'' Fulwood said Tuesday after practice. “No one has really seen that side of me. A lot of people were kind of blown back by it.”
After practice Wednesday, McElwain was asked if Fulwood has shown more confidence in this week in light of the praise he received for his aggressive play Saturday.
"He's doing good,'' McElwain said. "I just look at that one aggressive play, 'OK, now go up and command the ball.' He's a guy that plays all positions, very intelligent, knows the game plan. When his number is called ... go make the play."
Fulwood ran over Scarfone to pick up three additional yards on what turned into an 8-yard reception. Fulwood heard what McElwain said about the need for him to play bigger than he does.
“I took it to heart,'' Fulwood said. “He wants every single weapon I have. You can't coach effort.
“I should play that way every game, every down. I should be the most aggressive person on the field. Everyday I'm working at it. I really haven't gotten many opportunities to show that side. I'm used to running around people. Now I've got the ability to run through people and I like it.”
Meanwhile, very doubtful Scarfone is a fan.
Ahmad Fulwood with the truck stick: https://t.co/yAwNSMCkFq
— Trevor Sikkema (@TrevorSikkema) September 13, 2015
