Two-Star Checkup: Pair of Big Ten top RB performers
Every Thursday during the college football season we look back on some two-star prospects who are outplaying their high school ranking and helping their teams win games. This week we look at a pair of Big Ten prospects who turned in quality performances last weekend.
MORE CHECKUPS: Five-stars | Four-stars | Three-Stars
As a recruit: Despite playing alongside future five-star Derrick Brown at Lanier High School in Georgia, the majority of college coaches passed up the chance to offer Fuller. But during the summer prior to his senior year he caught the eye of programs such as Charlotte and Middle Tennessee and when Purdue became his lone Power Five offer, Fuller jumped at the chance to commit to the Boilermakers.
What he did this week: After redshirting in 2015 and sparingly as a redshirt freshman in 2016, Fuller seems poised to break out under new Purdue coach Jeff Brohm. In Saturday’s victory over Ohio, Fuller rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown, more than doubling his total rushing yards in the previous 12 games combined. Purdue fans are hoping that they have their running back of the future in Fuller and Saturday’s showing is more than just a one-week aberration.
As a recruit: Wadley originally committed to Temple and seemed poised to stay in the Northeast until a late offer from Iowa threw a wrench into his recruitment. After visiting the Hawkeyes he elected to flip just prior to National Signing Day 2013 and made it official a few days late.
What he did this week: Iowa is known for identifying and developing players who end up outplaying their high school ranking and Wadley looks like the next on that list. After redshirting his first year on campus he has slowly worked his way into a star for the Hawkeyes. After making third-team all-Big Ten as a junior last season, Wadley has taken another step up this year. On Saturday, he scored the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter in the Hawkeyes' overtime victory over rival Iowa State. He finished the game with 118 yards rushing and 72 yards receiving, and is just three yards from eclipsing 2,000 career rushing yards.
