For the first time since the days of Jay Prosch, the Houston Texans now have a fullback on their roster. Former Texas A&M 12th Man Cullen Gillaspia made the 53-man cut last weekend after an impressive rookie training camp in which he demonstrated his versatility and special teams ability.
The seventh-round pick is notorious for his special teams play as well as his leadership skills, not to mention the fact that he’s been seen in camp as a blocker, rusher, receiver out of the backfield. This versatility is something Bill O’Brien is notorious for looking out for in potential squad additions, and it is safe to say he has been impressed so far.
“He’s been a fun guy to coach since he arrived here,” admitted O’Brien of the Katy, TX native. “He’s really a guy that works hard, takes a lot of pride in his role playing fullback on offense and then his role on special teams. He takes it very seriously and shows up every day and works very hard, so he’s been good.”
A former linebacker, Gillaspia has great size and surprising speed given said size (6-2, 235). The 24-year-old made, appropriately, 24 appearances in four years with the Aggies.
Gillaspia provides yet another potential weapon for Deshaun Watson, as well as protection in the passing game and special teams leadership. He will certainly be one of the more exciting players to watch this season.
