Important months ahead for Georgia DE Nick Fulwider
TYRONE, Ga. — Appalachian State, North Carolina State and Tennessee have recently extended an offer out to Nick Fulwider, a 6-foot-6, 243 pound defensive end out of Sandy Creek. That has the rising senior over 20 offers with plenty of other schools still evaluating him.
With the offers still rolling in and coaches stopping by almost daily to check on him during the evaluation period, Fulwider is not thinking about commitment just yet.
"I am planning to go and visit as many schools as possible before I make my decision," said Fulwider. "I want to look into as many schools as I can this summer, but I do not think I will be ready to commit before my senior year. I want to make sure of everything first and visits are important, so I think I will likely commit to someone during the season or after it."
Fulwider went on to talk about how important visits are to him and his family. He needs to get a feel for the campus life as a student-athlete because the decision he makes won't be just about football.
"Visits are very important to me. It will be the place that I spend the next four years of my life, so the visits I take will play a big role in my decision. Every time I take a visit I am looking for a place I can call home the next four years. It will be the place I live, the place I get a degree from and the place I play football, so a lot plays into it for me.
"It is not just about football, there is much more to my decision than that. That is why the visits are so important."
A couple of schools that have already hosted the three star on their campus really has his attention. There are no favorite yet, Fulwider is still looking at everyone equally, but there is an ACC and SEC school that have made strong impressions.
"I have visited Georgia Tech around four or five times already, so I have a good idea about what they have to offer," said Fulwider. "I like how it is right down the street from my home, but yet in the city and far enough that I feel like I am away from home.
"It feels like home when I am there and the coaches have a good idea of how I will fit into their defense and they seem to have a plan for me if I decided to go there. I definitely like what I have seen in Georgia Tech.
"Another school that I like is Vanderbilt. I watched one of their spring practices and I liked it up there. I like the idea of being close to home, but not too close to home, so Vanderbilt passes that one for me.
"They have great facilities and I think coach [C.J.] Ah You (defensive line) is a great person and a great coach. He is a lot of fun to talk to and to hang around. My family likes it there too, so that is always a plus. I think Vanderbilt has a lot to offer and that is why I like them so much."
Staying in the SEC, Bret Bielema's program is one Fulwider has an offer from and he wants to take a visit to Fayetteville (Ark.).
"I haven't been out to Arkansas yet, but I am working on getting that set up now. I want to get a feel for the campus and the people there, but the time I have spoken with them over the phone has been great.
"The coaches seem genuine, I know it is a good program and it is a school I really want to check out. I stay in contact with coach [John] Scott and we talk some football, but he is always asking about my brother, my mother and it is cool."
Fulwider has a busy spring with practice, exams and finishing up his junior year, so June and July will likely be busy months for him on the road with visit. He wants to have his list of schools cut down in a big way before he starts his senior year so he can focus on those schools when making his decision.
"I will definitely have favorites before the end of summer," said Fulwider. "I have a lot of schools to look at, so it will take some time to narrow things down, but I know I will have it down by then.
"I do not know the exact number yet, but I want to start only paying attention to a certain number of schools by August. That is what I will be working towards this summer."
Fulwider is the son of a teacher, so academics are very important. He is looking for the school that has a plan for him after football. He knows the NFL is not for everyone, so he will be looking well beyond his football career when he selects his college down the road.
