by Daniel S. Archuleta
Daily Lobo
Lobo cornerback Gabriel Fulbright is one of the premier cover men in the country.
He thinks so, too.
"I think I'm pretty good," he said. "I'm like top 10 or something like that."
He is not the only one who recognizes his skills. Fulbright was nominated to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list for the best defensive player in the nation.
"It feels pretty good," he said. "It just lets me know that someone is watching me."
The senior said a nomination is not good enough, though.
"It doesn't mean anything unless you win it," he said. "I don't want second place or third place. I want to win it."
Fulbright is on the list for good reason. Last season, he racked up five interceptions while breaking up seven passes. He also returned a fumble 68 yards for a touchdown against undefeated Utah. That was the Lobos' lone score of the game.
Fulbright said he sees himself as a leader. He can be seen coaching younger safeties and cornerbacks on how to improve their game. He can also be seen barking at the defense to step it up and get to the ball.
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Off the field, Fulbright recognizes his ability to lead as well.
"I have a very important part. I have to look forward to those young guys coming back next year," he said. "I have to coach them up to make sure they do good."
Fulbright said he has the confidence in his skills that helps him play at a high level of intensity.
"I run hard and I can cover anybody," he said. "I run to the ball or I hit them. I just run and run and run."
Fulbright's versatility should be a positive factor for the Lobos this season. If it were up to him, he would also handle punt return duties. With head coach Rocky Long keeping running back DonTrell Moore as far away from punt returning as possible, the Lobos are still looking for a consistent punt return specialist.
And there's no one who wants to shoulder the extra duty more than Fulbright.
"I would like to do punt return," he said. "That's what I did in high school, but I haven't had a chance to do that here yet."
The defense has a few holes that need to be filled. With the loss of All-Mountain West Conference defensemen Nick Speegle, Fola Fashola, Brandon Payne and Josh Bazinet, Fulbright still thinks the defense will be fine.
"We look real good. We have guys that are supposed to be in their positions. Everybody is real fit and feeling real fine," he said.
Fulbright thinks this year's defense has something last year's did not.
"We have more playmakers, I would say," he said. "It's a lot of guys that want to do more for the team."
Fulbright said he wants to take something home at the end of this season.
"This is my senior year. It's my last blast, and we are trying to get a championship ring, a bowl ring or something out of this whole situation," he said.
He said he has only one thing on his mind.
"I'm a senior, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to win," he said.
