Colorado State University Athletics

Jadon Walker
Photo by: Tomas Redondo

2018 Training Camp Report: Day 16

8/14/2018 6:45:00 PM | Football

Q&A with junior wide receiver Brenden Fulton

The Colorado State football team was tested on Tuesday, having its practice halted due to lightning in the area. However, the team shifted inside to the indoor practice facility and the resilient Rams had another strong day of camp.

The practice was the second without head coach Mike Bobo, who is currently undergoing medical evaluation after recently experiencing numbness in his feet. Defensive coordinator John Jancek and offensive coordinator Dave Johnson spoke to the media after practice. 

"Before Coach Bobo left he gave us clear direction on what he wanted," Jancek said. "He hired us to do our jobs. He trusts us… We want to do what's right and we want to make Coach Bobo happy while he's not here."

That theme was echoed by Johnson, who also coaches the Rams' offensive line.

"We've got a lot of experience on this staff and I think that really has shown through here the last couple of days, and I think our kids feel it," Johnson added. "We're just carrying out the plan. Things that we had already scheduled to do way back in the summer when we were planning training camp and what Day 16 was going to be like, (that) was today."

Johnson emphasized that the team is carrying out its practice plans and game preparation without interruption.
 
"Since we got back from recruiting in May, our whole focus throughout the last part of spring and all of summer is to get a plan ready for each day, during training camp and even into the first couple weeks. So we've had a plan in place since training camp started. We had the scripts done, our installation is complete; we completed our installation a couple days ago. Now we're just trying to evaluate and analyze what the plan is going to be going forward for the next week, for Hawai'i and for Colorado.

Jancek has liked the improvements that the defense has made since fall camp began, and he's eager to see how his group plays in the season opener. 

"Our true test will obviously be against Hawai'i," Jancek said. "We still have a lot of things that we want to continue to work on. We're progressing... We're putting time and effort and work in. We know what the standards are and we're working towards those standards."

Jancek also offered praise to some of the freshmen in the secondary, noting how well developed and prepared they were coming into camp.

"Rashad Ajayi has been extremely mature and he's made some plays covering some wide outs," Jancek explained. "I've been really impressed with Tywan Francis... who is playing the nickel for us and doing an outstanding job. Quinn Brinnon at safety has showed up and he's really smart and he's picking up things quickly. Those guys have made a huge impact for us in the secondary and we just have to continue to get better each and every week."

Johnson was asked about the progress of identifying a starting unit on the offense line and establishing the top nine that will be counted on to play on game day.
 
"Those are evaluations that we are still making, and guys are still improving daily, so we're getting close," Johnson said. "I'm enjoying it because guys are competing, they're engaged in meetings and they're hungry to learn."
 
While he is absent Coach Bobo continues to be on the minds of the entire program as coaches, players and staff continue with preparation for the season opener.
 
"We're praying for him and we're hopeful we're going to see him in the building soon, and that's all that we're doing today. I know our staff is united and we're all together in terms of what we're trying to accomplish. We have a really good staff, we're cohesive, and I'm excited to be part of it."

 

Q&A -- Meet junior wide receiver Brenden Fulton

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Brenden Fulton

On his mindset going into this season...
 
"I think I'm with everyone else: we're expecting to win a Mountain West championship, and that's our main goal. But me personally, I started to see my first game time experience last year, and I just think that I can keep building on that and eventually elevate it to getting more game time not only on special teams but also on offense and see where that can take me."
 
Any personal goals? 
 
"Everyone knows how strong our receiving corps is going to be this year. We have Preston (Williams) and Bisi (Johnson) and Warren (Jackson) and everyone. I think it'd be awesome to get myself mixed into that rotation, and if I can get major playing time and contribute in that sense, not only for personal gain, but if I can do something to help another person get a big gain, big yard, big blockage, then I'll be happy with that."
 
What is your game-day ritual?
 
"Mine's pretty general: Listen to music, stretch, get warmed up, pre-game meal, all that. But something about me, I just don't talk to people before the game. I just like to keep to myself, kind of envision what I'm going to go through during the game, study my assignments, and I'm not a big fan of interacting with other people. I just kind of like keeping to myself."
 
If you had to choose, what's one song you would listen to right before stepping on the field?
 
"Honestly, when I'm driving around in my car all the time I'm listening to country. I'm a
country listener all the time. But before the game, definitely rap, definitely hardcore rap.
Honestly, I couldn't pick one song, but I'd have to go with something Young Thug. That would
be my choice."
Thursday, May 14
Monday, May 11
Friday, May 08
Tuesday, April 28