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Will Fuller Hopes To Prove The Critics Wrong In NFL

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After switching from his initial decision to stay at Notre Dame, Will Fuller thrived in his last season and looks to produce at an elite level in the NFL.

Like many promising young players, Will Fuller had a hard time deciding whether or not he would return to college for his final season.

After the conclusion of his junior year, Fuller made a statement that he would remain at Notre Dame to compete during his senior season, but wound up later changing his mind.

Ultimately, Fuller elected to forgo his final year of eligibility at Notre Dame and declare for the NFL Draft, leaving college injury-free was a large factor in his decision, calling it "the right decision."

"Just with the year we had, a lot of injuries, for a healthy career I just wanted to get out of there while I was healthy and still put up good numbers this year," Fuller said at the NFL Combine. "I thought that was at a good time. I was healthy and no injuries."

Fuller has emerged as one of the elite wide receivers in this year's draft class, but has faced criticism for his small frame. Measuring just six-feet and 186 pounds, many experts are worried about his durability.

While his size may be in question, his speed is definitely not lacking. Fuller ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, making him the quickest receiver in this years draft class.

Fuller was frequently called upon at Norte Dame to use his speed, registering 62 catches for 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns during the 2015 season. He also proved that he can be a deep threat, his longest catch of the season was 81 yards and averaged 21 yards per catch.

However, with that success catching the football came criticism about his form. Analysts have said that his hand are weak and that he catches the ball with his body to compensate, causing nine drops during both his sophomore and junior seasons.

This criticism is not lost on Fuller. He has been preparing for the Draft by attempting to improve his catching ability, working with the JUGS machine, a passing machine that allows users to adjust the velocity at which a football is launched at them.

Check out images of wide receiver Will Fuller during his collegiate career at Notre Dame.

"Definitely doing JUGS work," Fuller said. "Not just standing still, but attacking the JUGS (machine). That's the biggest thing. I've talked to plenty of receivers coaching and they've said how I want to attack the ball when it's in the air. That's a big thing that I've been working on is attacking the ball and not letting it eat me up."

The ability to catch the ball with his hands rather than his body is something that Fuller sees the benefit in, knowing that it will allow him more room to catch and posses the ball.

"It keeps the defender from cutting the separation down," Fuller said. "You see a lot of times if a receiver stops running through the catch the defender, if you have any cushion at all, that cushion is gone. It's a lot easier to catch a pass with that cushion than a DB being draped all over your back."

After being named the Fighting Irish's MVP in 2015, Fuller feels happy with the legacy he is leaving behind. He has accomplished everything that he wanted to during his three seasons of college football.

"I had two magnificent years, I think, something that I didn't dream of," Fuller said. "When I came in, I just wanted to contribute. I put up a bunch of numbers I didn't think I was possible of doing. So I believe so, yes."

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