Washington’s Aaron Fuller in action during a game against Oregon State on Oct. 22, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Washington’s Aaron Fuller in action during a game against Oregon State on Oct. 22, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Looking for 2nd receiving option, Huskies turn to Fuller

After a rash of injuries, the sophomore looks to step up as Washington’s complement to Dante Pettis.

SEATTLE — In the time it takes to read this sentence, Washington may have found another No. 2 receiver only to lose him to a season-ending injury.

All eyes are now on sophomore Aaron Fuller.

“Like coach says, it’s like carrying the flag,” Fuller said about being the Huskies second option to Dante Pettis. “You have to step up, be the next man up, and do as much as you can with the position you got.”

UW’s offense entered its spring and fall camp trying to find a replacement for speedy John Ross. It appeared junior Chico McClatcher was going to be paired with Pettis for the whole year.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

That is, until McClatcher broke his left ankle. Then emerging freshman Hunter Bryant, despite being a tight end, was thought to be the next option in the passing game for Huskies quarterback Jake Browning. Except Bryant injured his leg and is out indefinitely. The Huskies turned to sophomore Quinten Pounds. Only to have Pounds miss the rest of the year with a knee injury.

It’s Fuller’s turn.

Rated by Rivals as a two-star recruit, Fuller had offers from Iowa, Southern Methodist and Wisconsin until signing with UW in 2016.

He finished last year with 16 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Fuller’s most notable performance was when he had four catches for 49 yards and a touchdown against Oregon State.

This year, he has 16 receptions for 207 yards and no touchdowns. Fuller’s role within UW’s offense was mixed until he was thrust into the No. 2 role.

He had four catches for 45 yards against Fresno State but had three games when he did not record any statistics.

Fuller’s past two games show why he’s won the job with eight receptions for 129 yards. Fuller led UW with 53 receiving yards in a 30-22 loss to Stanford last week.

“He’s always like known where to go and he has a really good football IQ,” Pettis said of Fuller. “He sees the defense well and I think he’s always kind of been ready but he’s getting that opportunity now.”

Part of Fuller’s acumen could be attributed to the time he spent playing high school football in Texas.

Texas high school football is a different animal compared to most states for several reasons. One example would be the demands placed on players to know the nuances of a particular scheme.

Aside from talent, college programs actively recruit Texas because many of the players grow up understanding the importance of playing within a specific system.

“Aaron is a guy that came in and to me, the reason he’s made such a big impact, is the way he practices,” Huskies receivers coach Matt Lubick said. “He came in, didn’t play as much early on as he is now but through practice and then, when he’s got into games, he’s made plays and he’s done a lot of good things in the run game that people don’t see.

“He’s making the most of it.”

Fuller, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 187 pounds, starred at Lovejoy which is in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

He ripped opposing secondaries apart over his junior and senior seasons. In 2014, he was a Class 5A all-state selection with 69 catches for 1,386 yards and 22 touchdowns.

As a senior, he finished the year with 86 receptions for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Fuller said his high school team operated out of a spread offense that was more of a pass-first offense.

UW’s pro-style scheme meant Fuller had to adjust, but he still took to honing in on smaller details like becoming a better blocker to help the team’s running game.

“We have good coaches, good receivers that help us out like Dante and Ross helped me get adjusted to the system and everything coming in as a freshman,” Fuller said. “Which is why I was able to play a good amount coming in at the beginning. So, I mean, it wasn’t too bad just learning the plays, the signals and stuff like that.”

Both Lubick and Pettis said Fuller has done well in adapting to UW’s revolving door at receiver.

Lubick said the Huskies knew they had a lot of depth at receiver going into the season. Not that Lubick was hoping for injuries but in the event something happened, UW would be prepared.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett AquaSox infielder Michael Arroyo receives high-fives in the dugout during Everett's 8-1 win against Tri-City at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 13, 2025. The 20-year-old Colombia native had two home runs and a career-high six RBI. (Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Arroyo’s big night lifts AquaSox to 8-1 win over Tri-City

The 20-year-old smacks 2 homers and a career-high 6 RBI while extending hit streak to 10.

Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont was named CHL Rookie of the Year at the 2025 CHL Awards in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo courtesy of Josh Kim / Canadian Hockey League)
Tips’ Landon DuPont named CHL Rookie of the Year

The 16-year-old is the first defenseman in 30 years, and first Silvertip ever, to win the award.

Stanwood sophomore Addi Anderson in The Herald's 2025 All-Area Softball Pitcher of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Softball Pitcher of the Year: Addi Anderson

The Stanwood sophomore had a 1.32 ERA to lead the Spartans to a district championship.

Michael Arroyo hit a 2-run home run for the Everett AquaSox in an 11-4 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox pitching goes cold in loss to Dust Devils

Although they held a first-inning lead, the Everett AquaSox fell… Continue reading

Jackson senior and UW commit Allie Thomsen is The Herald's 2025 All-Area Softball Hitter of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Softball Hitter of the Year: Allie Thomsen

The Jackson senior had a .544 batting average and 1.600 OPS while striking out just once.

Seahawks defense end Leonard Williams (99) participates in a workout at minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks bond over stories of their paths to football glory

Leonard Williams’ path to the NFL included stints of homelessness.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Florida Panthers during Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (David Santiago / Tribune News Services)
Panthers blow lead, Oilers even Stanley Cup Final series

The game probably shouldn’t have gotten to this point.… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway senior Alex Plumis is The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Plumis

The Edmonds-Woodway senior scored 23 goals and dished nine assists.

Stanwood’s Rubi Lopez cheers after getting a base hit during the 3A District 1 championship game against Sedro-Woolley on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wesco all-league softball teams announced

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for boys soccer. WESCO 4A First… Continue reading

Taylor Dollard of the Everett AquaSox throws a pitch in a 5-2 victory over the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on Wednesday, June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Strong pitching anchors AquaSox, sinks Tri-City

Everett AquaSox pitching held Tri-City Dust Devils to just two… Continue reading

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hands off to running back Zach Charbonnet (26) during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper, Seattle Seahawks)
Dave Boling: Sam Darnold’s first priority is the run game

For those Seattle Seahawks fans curious about the early… Continue reading

Pacers rely on unlikely heroes, take 2-1 NBA Finals lead

Indiana Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle sounds like a nature lover… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.