Fuller emerges as a breakout DB for Tulsa
In his much-anticipated debut for the University of Tulsa last month, cornerback Travon Fuller tackled a UC Davis player — and broke the middle finger on his left hand.
Rather than miss time with an injury, Fuller has played the last five games with his left hand completely wrapped, almost like a club.
“It’s something I’ve done before and I really wanted to contribute and help the team out, so I didn’t look at it like a disadvantage,” Fuller said. “I looked at it like something I just have to go out and handle.”
A transfer from Texas A&M, Fuller has been a breakout performer for the Hurricane in the first half of the season. He’s tied for third nationally with 10 passes defended and fourth with eight pass breakups, and he also has two interceptions.
“He has been an absolute pleasure to have on our football team,” coach Philip Montgomery said. “He works his tail off, comes with a smile every day. He’s hungry to be great.
“He’s done a good job both on and off the field and in the classroom. But he has been a spark for us when it comes to what we’ve been able to do defensively, for sure.”
Fuller is coming off an outing against Memphis in which he had four pass breakups and a 44-yard interception return along with four tackles. By comparison, TU’s starting cornerbacks from last season combined for four pass breakups in 2020 while totaling one interception.
And Fuller is doing it with essentially one hand.
“I think he’d have a couple more (interceptions) right now if it wasn’t for that,” Montgomery said.
The day after having surgery on the broken finger, Fuller was itching to return to practice. He adjusted fairly quickly to not having full use of his left hand.
“When I go on the field, I don’t really think about having one hand anymore,” Fuller said. “So it all feels normal to me now, but the first few games when I first got (the club), it definitely was a struggle for me to wrap up and hang on (when tackling).”
On the victory-sealing play last week, Fuller was defending the receiver when the ball ricocheted off his helmet and into the hands of teammate Bryson Powers, allowing the Hurricane to run out the clock and prevail 35-29.
After spending four years at Texas A&M and receiving his undergraduate degree, Fuller was looking for a landing spot for his fifth season of eligibility as a graduate transfer, somewhere he could contribute more.
Upon his arrival during the summer, Fuller immediately meshed with his teammates. Throughout the preseason, he showcased his ability and earned a starting role.
“I feel like the coaches did a really good job of helping me getting comfortable from Day 1 when I got here, and that really allowed me to blossom in this program and be more of myself,” Fuller said.