Fullback position still evolving, developing for Cowboys

Fullback position still evolving, developing for Cowboys

LARAMIE – Mike Bath wants three but, right now, he only has one.

The University of Wyoming fullbacks/tight ends coach wants three fullbacks who can play in games for the Cowboys this season. The departure of four-year starter Drew Van Maanen left a rather large gap at that position.

Junior Jaylon Watson is the fullback on the roster with game experience, but even that is limited to roughly 40 snaps. Along with Watson, four other players going through spring drills are trying to show the coaching staff what they can do.

But as UW concluded its fifth of 15 spring practices Thursday, there is little to report about the newcomers.

"They're starting to get some of their assignments down, but there hasn't been anything I've seen that makes me super excited yet," fifth-year coach Craig Bohl said.

UW moved two players from defense to fullback in the offseason – junior Austin Lopez from defensive end and sophomore Jahmari Moore from linebacker.

"I've been learning a lot, but there are frustrating parts about it," Moore said. "It is a lot more technical than I thought. A lot of stuff happens very fast at the line of scrimmage.

"Technique is very important. Before hand, I just thought it was a position where you run down and blow people up."

Lopez played some running back in high school, but said playing fullback at UW is "nothing like anything I've done before."

"The first day of practice I was swimming pretty good, but after that it got a little easier, but I still have a lot to learn," Lopez added.

Fullbacks are tough to recruit in this day and age as many high schools have gone to spread offenses and don't use fullbacks. Often times, teams that use fullbacks have to start from scratch and teach players about the nuances of the position.

Bath likes taking players from defense to fullback because a lot of the same concepts are intertwined.

"A lot of it is the same in terms of their eyes and seeing things," Bath said. "The ability to tackle as a linebacker is transferrable to fullback in terms of rolling the hips and seeking out contact."

But as a linebacker, you are taught to wrap up the ball carrier. If you do that as a fullback, you get penalized.

Other players getting looks this spring are a pair of redshirt freshmen walk-ons in Jeff Burroughs of Yoder and Garrett Shipman. Shipman is the biggest of the fullbacks at 6-foot-2, 256 pounds.

"Guys who were at the position before are growing, and the new guys are taking some steps in the right direction. We're getting there," Bath said.

Moore said Bohl approached him after last season about moving to fullback. The idea surprised him, but Moore said the decision to make the switch wasn't difficult.

"I just love the game. If it was up to me I'd play on both sides of the ball," he said.

UW is a long way from any kind of pecking order for its fullbacks. It makes sense that Watson has an edge. He has played in 27 games over the last two seasons, which also includes time on special teams.

Still, Bath needs to see more from Watson.

"He needs to have confidence and to play fast," Bath said. "He has shown the ability to do, but at times isn't as consistent as he needs to be. He needs to not try and do too much.

"A lot of growing needs to happen, and it needs to happen fast. He knows that."

Watson said the first five practices of spring drills have gone well for him and the other fullbacks. And, Watson can relate to players like Moore and Lopez because he also was moved from linebacker to fullback once he got to UW.

"It's been a big step for me, but it has been pretty cool," he said. "The new guys are doing well. When I first moved to fullback, I knew nothing. Austin and Jahmari are catching on fast."

Practice update

UW's fifth practice of spring drills was in full pads. The Cowboys worked out for about two-and-a-half hours inside their indoor practice facility.

"We're pleased with our progress," Bohl said. "We haven't had any real live work, but that will come."

Bohl said sophomore walk-on wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt continues to make plays, as does junior defensive tackle Youhanna Ghaifan. Bohl also said redshirt freshman Rudy Stofer has been a "pleasant surprise" in his progression as an offensive tackle.

Bohl said there was a "mixed bag" in the quarterback competition between senior Nick Smith and redshirt freshman Tyler Vander Waal. Bohl said there were too many interceptions thrown by both.

One of those interceptions was by redshirt junior Antonio Hull. Bohl also said junior kicker Cooper Rothe made a 52-yard field goal. Rothe's long in a game is 49 yards.

UW's next practice is Saturday. Bohl said the team will do some scrimmaging, but not a lot.

Injury report

Junior running back Kellen Overstreet injured a shoulder Tuesday and didn't practice Thursday. Bohl said he will know more today on Overstreet's status, but said, "there is probably better than a 50-50 chance he is going to need surgery and miss the rest of spring."