How Will Fuller became a record-breaking wide receiver in the NFL
In short: Before becoming a first-round NFL draft pick, Will Fuller was a standout at Notre Dame, where he tied school records for single-season touchdowns. Known for his explosive speed, he later made history with the Houston Texans as the first player to score both a receiving and punt return touchdown in one game.
Born in 1994, William Vincent Fuller V grew up in Philadelphia, where he excelled as a high school athlete. After initially committing to Penn State, he ultimately chose to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His college career was defined by rapid development; after a quiet freshman year, he emerged as a dominant starter. By his sophomore season, he had tied Golden Tate’s school record with 15 touchdowns in a single year, earning honorable mention All-American status.
Fuller’s junior year at Notre Dame solidified his reputation as a deep-threat receiver. He recorded 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns, finishing his collegiate tenure with 30 career touchdowns—the second-highest total in school history behind Michael Floyd. His speed was validated at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, where he clocked the fastest 40-yard dash time among all wide receivers at 4.32 seconds. The Houston Texans selected him 21st overall in the 2016 NFL draft.
His professional career was marked by flashes of brilliance hampered by recurring injuries and suspensions. In his 2016 rookie season, he achieved a rare franchise milestone by scoring on both a reception and a punt return in the same match. Despite productive stretches—including a 217-yard performance against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019 and a career-high 879 receiving yards in 2020—Fuller struggled to stay on the field. He suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone, a torn ACL, and a broken thumb, the latter of which occurred during his final season with the Miami Dolphins in 2021.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Will Fuller
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-will-fuller.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
