Dec. 12--Will Fuller has been good at receiving for Notre Dame this season.
The junior receiver made a believer out of his teammates, too, who voted Fuller the Irish's most valuable player.
He caught that distinction Friday night during the team's annual awards banquet when he and 14 teammates were honored.
Fuller, a second-team All-America pick by several media outlets, is tops on the Irish with 56 receptions, 1,145 yards and 13 touchdown catches. He has six 100-yard receiving games to his credit this year, which is third in program history. He's also three touchdown catches shy of breaking the single-season mark he shares.
"I can't even explain it," Fuller said. "I don't know how to handle it.
"Being at this university, it's still all a dream to me."
Fuller outran two likely high first-round picks in the next NFL draft, offensive and defensive players of the year Jaylon Smith and Ronnie Stanley, for the award.
"When the moment was great, he stepped up," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said.
Fuller said he's still "feeling good" about coming back to Notre Dame next season. He said earlier this season he plans to return for his senior season.
Other award winners were:
Running back C.J. Prosise, Next Man In
Linebacker Jarrett Grace, Student-Athlete
Receiver Chris Brown, Pietrosante Award
Defensive end Romeo Okwara, Father Lange Iron Cross
Defensive lineman Sheldon Day, Moose Krause Lineman of the Year
Linebacker Joe Schmidt, Irish Around the Bend
Center Nick Martin, Offensive Lineman of the Year
Matthias Farley, Special Teams Player of the Year
Defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, Newcomer of the Year: Defense
Quarterback DeShone Kizer, Newcomer of the Year: Offense
Asmar Bilal, Scout Team Player of the Year: Defense
Tristen Hoge, Scout Team Player of the Year: Offense
pskrbina@tribpub.com
