Fuller gets transfer; new team will have a senior on its roster

NORFOLK

The NCAA on Friday granted former Virginia defensive end Jason Fuller a fifth year of eligibility, which he will use at Old Dominion this fall.

Fuller, a 6-foot-5, 262-pounder, becomes the lone senior on ODU's roster heading into the school's first year of football. The Monarchs open an 11-game schedule on Sept. 5, when they host Chowan.

Fuller played sparingly at Virginia after a stellar career at Kempsville High, where he was a first-team All-Tidewater pick. Fuller graduated this spring with a degree in commerce, and the Cavaliers didn't renew his scholarship, sending Fuller in search of a place to play.

He had redshirted his first year at U.Va., leaving him with fifth-year eligibility.

"It was getting pretty nerve-wracking waiting for NCAA approval, but I calmed down some in the last couple of weeks and was more and more confident it would happen," Fuller said. "I'm just ready to get started now. I'll move onto campus this weekend and begin classes on Monday."

The NCAA in essence approved the transfer because he is pursuing graduate studies in public administration, which is not offered at U.Va.

ODU coach Bobby Wilder said it helps his program on many fronts.

"He's only the third Virginia football player to graduate from the commerce school there, and the other two are Tiki and Ronde Barber," he said, referring to the twins who went on to star in the NFL. "So, academically, he brings something to the table that's unmatched, and when he talks in the locker room, people should listen.

"He's our first transfer from a BCS school, and he's from one of the big two in the state. That might lead others to consider us if they are thinking about transferring.

And we need help on the defensive line, and he will create healthy competition there."

Rich Radford, (757) 446-2463 rich.radford@pilotonline.com