When Ahmad Fulwood arrived at Florida in 2013, he brought high expectations with him.
A 4-star prospect out of Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, he was rated higher than current Florida starters Caleb Brantley and Jarrad Davis, as well as soon-to-be NFL Draft pick Keanu Neal, according to 247Sports.
He possesses elite height, measuring in at 6-foot-4. He was an Army All-American. His coaches thought so highly of him that he saw the field in all 12 games as a true freshman.
But so far, saying that the senior has underwhelmed would be an understatement.
His freshman year turned out to be one of his best, as he racked up 17 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. His sophomore year was similar, with fewer receptions (12) but more yards (199) and one touchdown.
And last year, which was supposed to be his breakout year, he dropped to six receptions for 61 yards and no scores, taking a backseat to breakout star Antonio Callaway.
But with Callaway’s future uncertain and with the youth of Florida’s receivers, Fulwood has one final chance to live up to the hype.
And he is embracing the role.
"Coming out here, I just wanted to have a different year than I had last year," he said of starting Spring practice on Wednesday.
"I want to be a bigger playmaker for the team and have a bigger load on my back."
One thing that could help Fulwood is the influx of talent the Gators have brought in at quarterback.
Luke Del Rio, who sat out last season after transferring to UF from Oregon State, has a "leg up" in the competition according to McElwain, and he and Fulwood have a history.
Back in high school, when Fulwood was a standout at Bishop Kenny and Del Rio was the starter at Jacksonville Episcopal, the two played against each other.
"When Episcopal played B.K. we beat the hell out of him, probably had four picks in the first half. Those are days I don’t like to remind him of because I know he’s gotten a lot better since then," Fulwood said.
"I always tease him about that."
But Fulwood has wanted to make a difference since day one.
So what’s he doing different this year?
"It’s more of off the field," he said. "Getting a lot more treatment. Eating right. Living right … and then during practice just keeping my speed up, staying on time with my routes and stuff like that."
His focus on putting in the work off the field showed, as the same player who arrived weighing 200 pounds said he was up to 215.
But off-the-field work aside, Fulwood only has one season left to make an impact for his team, and he’s focused on helping his team one day at a time.
"I’m just trying to go out here and catch some balls, run some routes with my friends," Fulwood said.
"If it helps the team move forward, that’s what I’d like to do."
Contact Ethan Bauer at ebauer@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @ebaueri.
Florida receiver Ahmad Fulwood catches a pass during the first day of Spring practice on March 9, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Field.
