Typical' Fuller
powers defense
By EDDIE WOOTEN
Staff Writer
For an average, run-of-the-mill football player, William
Fuller sure has a lot going for him.
UNC's senior defensive tackle was a first-team Ail
American selection last season by the Football Writers Asso
ciation of America after leading the defense to a second-place
rating nationally in yards allowed per game. He earned
second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press
and was a finalist in voting for the Outland Trophy. Every
one has tabbed Fuller a preseason All-American for 1983.
Despite capturing so many accolades, Fuller keeps his
easy-going personality intact.
Fuller recently strolled into the training table in Ehring
haus Residence Hall, preparing to add more nutrition to his
already-healthy 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame. He walked in
alone, wearing his horn-rimmed glasses. Carefully perusing
the serving line, Fuller gave the impression that he was look
ing for a good book instead of a good meal.
He timidly introduced himself and sat down for yet more
questions about William Fuller and the 1983 Tar Heels.
"I'm your typical person," Fuller calmly explained about
his seemingly-shy disposition. "But I like to have fun, go to
parties and hang out with the guys.
"There's not too much untypical about William Fuller."
Now that he's a senior, Fuller is expected to take a leader
ship role on the defensive unit, just as tackles Donnell
Thompson and Harry Stanback did when Fuller was a fresh
man in 1980.
"1 think they (the defense) look at me as a leader," he
said. "I try to be a leader, especially to the younger players.
When I was a freshman, I learned a lot and looked up to the
older guys. I said, 'I want to do the same thing when I'm a
senior.' "
The task could be a piece of cake for the Chesapeake, Va.,
gridder. With good size, excellent strength, quickness and
speed, he carries a truckload of impressive stats. In his first
two seasons as a starter, Fuller was credited with 103 tackles
and 41 assists, including 15 quarterback sacks and 20 other
hits behind the line of scrimmage. His previous two cam
paigns have ended with All-ACC attention.
UNC head coach Dick Crum called Fuller a "great all
around player."
"The thing that's most impressive about him to me is he's
still trying to improve," Crum has said. "He's not resting on
his laurels. He's a very hard worker who has not let success
go to his head."
Fullder admitted he just wants to be one of the guys on
defense no spotlights.
"1 want them to think of me being on the same level, no
matter what honors have been bestowed upon me," he said.
"I wouldn't want them to think I'm any better.
"I try to set an example for the younger guys in practice,"
he added. "I want to help them in any way I can really. If a
certain defense gives them problems, I'll be glad to give them
help. I try to pick them up emotionally when things get a lit
tle tough out there."
Three years ago, UNC posted an 1 1-1 mark, losing only to
Oklahoma. That team's defense had its own personality with
stars like Lawrence Taylor, Calvin Daniels and Darrell Nich
olson. Those guys were flashy, they hit hard, and they didn't
mind a few highs fives or verbal intimidation.
With the quiet Fuller anchoring the line, the 1983 edition is
different.
"We have a more calm, more disciplined defense," he said
in comparison. "We like to talk with our actions instead of
talking on the field verbally. You find out that it doesn't real
ly help it may even be a distraction.
"We're kinda keyed low emotionally," Fuller said. "The
whole team is kinda typical of Coach Crum low-key. He
kinda likes it that way. We never do a lot of whooping or
hollering. We just go out there and get it done at practice."
Off the field, Fuller has accomplished something not so
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Defensive tackle William Fuller, right, tries to break through the South Carolina line. The three-year
starter will be looked to for leadership on the 1983 defensive unit.
typical of UNC football players. Along with outside line
backers Aaron Jackson, he's a member of the Omega Psi Phi
social fraternity. Football players and frats haven't always
mixed, he said.
While Taylor probably wouldn't have cared for a frater
nity, Fuller still admires Taylor's on-field demeanor.
"I liked his style of play," he said. "I said I would like to
play my senior year like Taylor played his. It seemed like
whenever they needed a big play, when the team was behind,
he'd be the one to get it."
Fuller echoed the same sentiments of-all of the Tar Heels
when discussing the 1983 season.
"Winning the ACC is the team goal," he said. "Our de
fensive goals are to keep up the tradition at Carolina of hav
ing a defense in the Top 10. We feel we have people who do
play good defense.
"It's like the baton is being passed; it's up to us to carry it
on."
Like so many athletes excelling in their sport, the industrial
relations major has fallen behind in his course requirements.
He said he planned to catch up during future summer school
sessions.
He explained that his grades were in the "two-something"
range.
About average, huh William?
"Yeah, I guess so," he replied with a chuckle.
It's hard to imagine that Fuller is the same guy Saturday
after Saturday trying to sack an opposing quarterback or
stop a tailback for no gain. It just doesn't seem like the off-the-field
William Fuller.
"I think there are times when I'm quiet," he remarked,
"and there are other times when I'm not so quiet. I can be a
very loud emotional person. But most of the time, I'm kinda
low-keyed." .
Don't be surprised in Kenan Stadium Saturday when you
hear the public address announcer repeatedly say, "Tackle
by No. 95, William Fuller." It'll only be a low-keyed guy
having an average kinda day on the field.
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14 The Daily Tar Heel Football 83-84