SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame wide receiver Will Fuller told media members Wednesday he will return for his senior season in 2016.
When asked if Saturday's game against Wake Forest would be his final home game in college, Fuller said "no." He explained he hasn't told his coaches or teammates of his intent to return, but when pressed to clarify, said he will definitely be back.
Fuller, a junior, has 900 yards on 44 receptions with 12 touchdowns this season. The Philadelphia native caught 76 passes for 1,094 yards with 15 touchdowns in a breakout sophomore campaign last fall.
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Rotoworld NFL Draft analyst Josh Norris pointed to Ohio State's Devin Smith -- a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft -- as a similar big-play threat in explaining where Fuller would've fit had he turned pro after his junior season:
"Simplified, Fuller is a high variance player," Norris said. "Big play or bust. Most teams would live with the drops because of his big play ability, a trait that is difficult to find. Some wouldn't, as we've seen young WRs see less opportunities for this reason.
"I do think Fuller added more balance to his game this season, and maybe that is something he wants to build on, but overall his role early on will be in the 12+ yard areas of the field."
Fuller cited getting his degree from Notre Dame as a reason for his plan to stay in school for another year.
"I need to graduate," Fuller said. "That's what I came here for."