A former defensive linemen, Fulton suffered a knee injury in 2005 that turned out to be very beneficial in his career. While rehabilitating from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the redshirt junior was approached by the coaching staff about the idea of moving to the offensive line. With his naturally large frame, long arms and large hands, his athletic skills seemed to make him the ideal fit as a pass blocker.

Having arrived on the Illini campus as a 270-pound freshman, the now 300-pound junior was up to the task. He took over left tackle duties in 2007 and rapidly progressed, going on to earn second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors from the league's coaches, despite his relative inexperience as a blocker.

At Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Fulton was a nationally ranked defensive lineman. He was rated one of the Top 25 players in the state of Illinois by Insiders.com, Rivals.com and ESPN. He added All-Area honors from the Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Southtown and Star Newspapers, adding All-Region recognition from Super Prep.

As a senior, Fulton recorded 98 tackles (58 solo) with 7.5 quarterback sacks. He added 17 pressures, blocked three field goals, recovered three fumbles and deflected five passes.

Illinois landed Fulton, who as a true freshman ended up starting the final three games at right defensive end, appearing in a total of eight contests while sharing time with junior Scott Moss. Fulton recorded six tackles (three solo), added two quarterback pressures and deflected a pass.

Fulton manned the right defensive end position for the first seven games of the 2005 season, but suffered a left knee ACL tear vs. Penn State, sitting out the rest of the campaign. He delivered 13 tackles (six solo) with an assisted sack and two stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also posted three pressures with a pass break-up and blocked one kick.

While recovering from knee surgery at a pace slower than expected, the staff decided to grant Fulton a medical hardship for the 2006 season. He returned as the starting left offensive tackle in 2007, picking up All-Big Ten Conference honors. He switched from jersey #98 he wore as a defensive end to #68 as an offensive tackle, as he delivered 78 knockdowns and nine touchdown-resulting blocks for an offense that ranked fifth in the nation in rushing (256.77 yards per game). He allowed just two quarterback sacks, as the front wall ranked second in the conference in sacks allowed, surrendering just 1.23 per game.

The Illini offense changed from a ground-oriented attack in 2007 to a more pass-friendly scheme in 2008. Fulton started every game, but was limited late in the year by a shoulder dislocation suffered vs. Iowa. The shoulder again popped out, limiting his snaps the following week vs. Western Michigan, but he gamely played in the final two contests.

Fulton struggled with the new offensive game plan, as he managed six touchdown-resulting blocks and 71 knockdowns. But, the opposition managed to register 9.5 of the team's 25 sacks allowed over the left tackle area. The team saw its rushing attack fall to 169.5 yards per game, but the aerial show ranked 20th nationally and led the league with an average of 269.33 yards per game.

GENERAL REPORT

GRADE: 6.04

Body Structure: Fulton has a big frame but he's still developing. He arrived on campus as a 260-pound defensive end and still has the same waist size at 315 pounds. He shows good thickness in his chest, long arms, large hands and thick thighs and calves, but can add at least another 15 pounds to his frame with no loss in quickness. He is just beginning to look the part of an offensive tackle, as he has the size, natural knee bend, long arms, good base and a well-developed lower body. He lines up at left offensive tackle, where he has not proven to be efficient and productive, but some pro teams feel he could be a better prospect on the right side because of his smooth athletic agility (also will allow him to develop better strength to combat the physicality needed to play on the left side, something he is presently lacking). GRADE: 6.2

Athletic Ability: Fulton has the large frame, long arms and solid foot speed that scouts look for in a zone-blocking scheme. He comes off the snap with good initial explosion, but needs to display it with better consistency. Pass protection is still a work in progress (lacks experience and anticipation, but he has the required athletic ability), but he is a natural knee bender who gets out front quickly on outside sweeps and screens. He shows very good balance in his kick slide and gets into the second level quickly, but is still learning angle technique. He has tremendous body control and hip snap on the move. Even with his big body, he is capable of keeping his feet and maintaining balance to kick and slide to movement. His biggest problem comes from an obvious lack of strength, something that will need to be addressed his first year in the NFL, if he hopes to gain playing time. GRADE: 7.7

Football Sense: In his Illini career, Fulton was a model of inconsistency. One game, he looked like an All-American and the next, you wonder if there is not a better alternative for his spot. He tests well in the classroom and needs just normal reps to retain, but he gets by on athleticism, especially when caught out of position. He might need more reps to better scan the field, as he shows marginal ability to pick up twists and games. He uses his functional strength adequately and knows how to get out of his stance quickly to get movement in short-yardage situations. GRADE: 5.0

Character: Fulton is a hard worker and good program player, sacrificing personal goals for the success of the team when he agreed to move to the offensive line in 2007. He is respected in the locker room and might be the best overall athlete at his position in the Big Ten Conference. He takes care of business in the classroom and is a good worker in all forms of preparation. He also has a quiet demeanor. GRADE: 6.5

Competitiveness: He answered questions about his competitiveness when he refused to sit out the final games of a meaningless campaign, playing in his final three-plus contests with a dislocated shoulder. What scouts do question is his lack of aggression. For a player with tons of defensive experience, evaluators want to see a nastier streak than he shows. He is just not as competitive as you would like, especially from a left tackle, where he faces one-on-one confrontations regularly. He will work hard to stay up and on the block, and though not a mauler, or even a finisher, he too often settles for stalemates. Until he develops better strength and a nasty attitude and determination as a player, he is just a type that does what is asked and nothing more. GRADE: 5.4

Work Habits: Fulton has fine athletic ability and size. He can be tough at times, but he needs to play with more aggression to perform up to his athletic ability. He needs a patient coach to work on his hand placement, punch and mechanics. He relies too much on athleticism to compensate for overall poor technique and a lack of a strong base. He is a good worker in the weight room and a good practice player. He has the physical tools, but needs to improve his overall strength and show more emotion. GRADE: 5.6

ATHLETIC REPORT

GRADE: 6.03

Initial Quickness: Fulton is nimble and light on his feet for a player his size. Even though he has power issues, getting out in front on outside running plays became his specialty. He needs to be more consistent firing off the line (generates good explosion when he sinks his hips, but when he gets too tall in his stance, he takes false steps). When he keeps his hands inside, he is effective generating good pop on the rise. He shows the knee bend and range to work into the second level and compensates for a lack of strength when leveraging with his flexibility and long arms. When gliding into the second level, he shows good ease of movement and developing cut ability to neutralize the linebacker. His loose hips let him redirect and he's improving his angle technique to locate linebackers on the move. He has the initial quickness to reach or cutoff, gets off the snap on time and can unwind out of his stance. When he plays too high, he loses explosion. GRADE: 7.4

Lateral Movement: Fulton needs to improve his pad level running into the second level and must stop lunging and overextending when trying to recover, but he has the light feet and good hip snap to show ease moving from side to side. He gets good depth in his kick slide due to his loose hips and is more comfortable playing in space rather than in-line. He lacks field savvy, but shows good urgency leading the way on outside pulls and will generally get into position to make second level blocks. He stays square in his base and has fluid lateral agility, which he uses effectively to mirror the edge rusher. He works well down the line and shows good body control and balance when attempting to redirect. GRADE: 6.5

Balance/Stays On Feet: Fulton leaves his feet trying to compensate for a lack of power to root out defenders. He has an explosive hand punch, but is more of a one-shot type who will drop his hands. Can look lost when his initial jolt fails to control his man. He has the quickness to recover, but needs to face up to his opponent with more aggression (has courage, but does not show it consistently). He lacks the anchor to prevent bull rushers from easily pushing him back into the pocket. He is more of a position blocker than a mauler, but he is just not as consistent or as aggressive as you would like from a former defensive lineman. GRADE: 5.4

Explosion/Pop: Fulton has a decent hand punch, but gets his hands outside his frame too much to counter. He likes to "play chess" rather than maul his opponent and relies too much on his reach and athleticism to get stalemates rather than attack with aggression. When he stays low in his pads and brings his hands up quickly on the rise, he has the ability to impact with a good surge. Due to his power issues, he has to use his hands well to strike with sudden force to impact and get movement, something he does inconsistently. GRADE: 5.3

Run Blocking: Fulton has good balance and quickness for outside run plays, as he can beat his opponent to the point of attack. He needs to be more active getting his hands underneath to latch on to the defender's jersey, but with his athleticism and reach, if he stays in control and keeps his hands inside the frame, he has the ability to wall off and follow through. He is starting to learn how to compensate for a lack of ideal power by using his body mass to gain position. GRADE: 6.5

Pass Blocking: Fulton's problems late in the second half of 2008 vs. the edge rush was because he was playing with one arm, thanks to a dislocated shoulder that he suffered vs. Iowa. That doesn't explain the three sacks he gave up against Missouri and also Minnesota. He is quick out of his stance, but when he gets too tall, he is easily walked back into the pocket. He has good feet, but tends to get lazy in his pass set and when he gets up on his heels, he loses balance quickly. He is becoming more comfortable in his sets and has made strides with a decent punch. He has the foot speed to get out on an edge rusher, setting his base and dropping his weight, where he does a better job of using his hands to create separation and control. He can also slide and adjust to movement, but when he gets too high, he has trouble with the faster edge rusher. GRADE: 6.6

Pulling/Trapping: In a zone-blocking scheme, Fulton could be a very capable guard, where his strength issues might not get exposed as often. He is light on his feet and when he stays low in his pads, can easily move from side to side. He will get upright quite a bit, losing balance, but he has the foot speed to go long distances on traps and pulls, especially when he comes out of his stance easily and uses his light feet. GRADE: 6.5

Adjust on Linebacker Downfield: Fulton is still learning angle concepts, but showed better ability to cut off linebackers the second half of 2008. He has the athletic ability to stay up and neutralize, but still needs to develop better vision to locate his opponent. His lack of consistency is evident when he fails to adjust to moves in space. GRADE: 6.0

Use of Hands/Punch: Fulton has a strong punch, but is a one-shot type that is slow to reset, especially when they get outside his frame. He leaves his chest exposed and bull rushers can easily walk him back when they get under his pads. He oversets and defenders have good success with inside counter moves. When he stays in control (will get antsy and lunge at his opponent), he extends well and has good hand usage to sustain. He needs to put more power behind his punch to shock and jolt. When he gets his hands up quickly, he has enough strength to get separation and control. GRADE: 5.2

Reactions/Awareness: After two seasons, Fulton should've become more alert to twists and games, but his field vision and awareness waned in 2008, evident by his struggles in the Missouri and Minnesota games. He has good feet to gain movement, but seems tentative, especially against a late blitz. Without a killer instinct, he was not successful in finishing blocks. He is a player that will be considered more for his athleticism rather than production. GRADE: 4.9

Compares To: LEVI JONES, Cincinnati -- Fulton is an impressive specimen, even though he still needs to address glaring strength deficiencies. He has very good foot quickness to impact the outside running game and won't fit in every scheme (best as a zone blocker) due to his lack of power. For a former defensive player, he lacks aggressiveness but is sure to impress a few teams with his athletic ability. Don't overlook durability concerns, along with very inconsistent performances, which should draw questions as to whether he can ever develop the field savvy needed to play at the next level.

OVERALL GRADE: 6.03

--Report by Dave-Te Thomas

Fulton began his Illini career as a defensive end, starting 10-of-15 games as a freshman and sophomore … Finished with nineteen tackles (nine solos), an assisted sack for a 2-yard loss and one stop for minus-6 yards … Added five quarterback pressures, blocked a kick and deflected two passes … As a left offensive tackle, he started all 25 games he appeared in during his junior and senior campaigns … Registered 149 knockdowns/key blocks with fifteen touchdown-resulting blocks and 11 downfield blocks in 1,631 offensive snaps.

Despite being hampered the last four games by a shoulder dislocation, Fulton was named to the All-Big Ten Conference second-team by the league's media … Started all 12 games, but left in the third quarter of the Iowa clash when he hurt his shoulder … Missed most of the Western Michigan clash the following week, as his shoulder again popped out of its socket … Finished with 71 knockdowns, six downfield blocks and six touchdown-resulting blocks … Recovered a fumble in the season finale vs. Northwestern … Part of a front wall that surrendered 25 quarterback sacks (9.5 for losses of 65 yards over left tackle), tying for 71st in the nation after ranking 15th in the major-college ranks (16) the previous season … While the Illini ground attack went from averaging 256.77 yards per game in 2007 to 169.5 yards in 2008, their aerial show drastically improved, finishing 20th in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten with an average of 269.33 yards per game (ranked 109th in the country in 2007 with an average of 168.23 yards per game) … Penalized twice and allowed two quarterback pressures on 393 pass plays.

Eastern Illinois … Fulton produced a career-high ten knockdowns to go with two touch-down-resulting blocks, as the Illini totaled 533 yards in a 47-21 victory … With 0:20 left in the first half, he cleared a rush lane used by QB Juice Williams on a third-&-goal keeper for a 1-yard score … Late in the third stanza, he crushed linebacker James Larson to spring receiver Arrelious Benn for a 13-yard touchdown jaunt on a reverse … Head to Head Competition-DE#91-Pierre Walters (6:05-269)-One assisted tackle … Offensive Impact-Fulton recorded ten knockdowns, one down field block and two touchdown-resulting blocks, grading 98% … Helped the team gain 399 yards with five touchdowns on 53 carries (7.53 ypc) and generate 533 total yards on 80 snaps (6.66 yards per play).

Penn State … The left tackle delivered six knockdowns as the offense generated 372 yards … Helped capped the team's first possession that consisted of 60 yards on six plays, as he leveled defensive end Josh Gaines on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jacob Ford … Head to Head Competition-DE#47-Josh Gaines (6:01-273)-One solo tackle … Offensive Impact-Fulton recorded six knockdowns, one down field block and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 87% … Helped the team gain 189 yards with one touchdown on 42 carries (4.50 ypc) and generate 372 total yards on 66 snaps (5.64 yards per play).

Indiana … Fulton added another six knockdowns in a 55-13 victory, despite leaving the game briefly in the third quarter to have his right ankle sprain treated, but he returned to the field, as the Illini rushed for a season-high 292 yards … At the start of the fourth quarter, the left tackle upended rush end Greg Middleton on a third-&-goal 1-yard scoring run by Jason Ford … Head to Head Competition-DE#92-Greg Middleton (6:03-279)-One assisted tackle … Offensive Impact-Fulton recorded six knockdowns, one down field block and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 88% … Helped the team gain 292 yards with four touch-downs on 44 carries (6.64 ypc) and generate 563 total yards on 66 snaps (8.53 yards per play).

Iowa … Fulton left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder dislocation … The following week, he started vs. Western Michigan, but he re-injured his shoulder, missing the bulk of the game.

Ohio State … Fulton played with his shoulder injury, but dominated the trenches, matching his career-high with ten knockdowns … He used his long arms to lock on and drive line-backer James Laurinaitis away from Juice Williams in the backfield on a blitz, giving his QB time to fire a 24-yard touchdown pass to Chris Duvalt, ending a 7-play, 78-yard drive with 0:42 left to play … Head to Head Competition-DE#90-Thaddeus Gibson (6:02-242)-Two assisted tackles … Offensive Impact-Fulton recorded ten knockdowns, one down field block and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 91% … Helped the team gain 214 yards with no touchdowns on 35 carries (6.11 ypc) and generate 455 total yards on 69 snaps (6.59 yards per play).

Earned All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors in his first season on offense, starting all 13 games at left tackle … Produced 78 knockdowns, nine touchdown-resulting blocks, five downfield blocks and was penalized twice, grading 80.15% for blocking consistency … Charged with just two quarterback sacks and no pressures on 323 pass plays … Provided solid blocking for a rushing attack that led the Big Ten and ranked fifth nationally with an average of 256.77 yards per game … Member of a line that surrendered only 16 sacks, second-best in the conference and 15th in the nation … Switched to jersey #68 after wearing #98 as a defensive lineman during his first two years at Illinois.

Ball State … Fulton made six knockdowns as he stalemated rush end Cortland Booker all game, helping the Illini produce 324 yards on the ground … QB Juice Williams used his left tackle's cut block on linebacker J Leman at the goal line to complete his 10-yard scoring run that capped a third quarter 7-play, 65-yard drive … Head to Head Competition-DE#44-Cortland Booker (6:02-247)-One solo tackle … Offensive Impact-Fulton recorded six knock-downs, one down field block and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 87% … Helped the team gain 324 yards with four touchdowns on 52 carries (6.23 ypc) and generate 469 total yards on 67 snaps (7.00 yards per play).

Ohio State … Fulton emerged from a fierce battle with the nation's premier pass rusher as the victor, delivering seven knockdowns while keeping defensive end Vernon Gholston out of the backfield (OSU player's first game in 2007 that he did not register a sack or tackle for loss) … Late in the first quarter, he simply flattened Gholston on QB Juice Williams' 33-yard scoring strike to Jacob Willis that finished a 7-play, 55-yard series …

Head to Head Competition-DE#50-Vernon Gholston (6:04-264)-Five tackles (2 solos) … Offensive Impact-Fulton recorded seven knockdowns, one down field block and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 85% … Helped the team gain 260 yards with no touch-downs on 51 carries (5.09 ypc) and generate 400 total yards on 73 snaps (5.48 yards per play).

Northwestern … Fulton graded a season-high 91%, as he posted eight knockdowns to see the Illini amass 324 yards rushing … Midway through the first quarter, he drove defensive end Corey Wootton into the end zone, clearing room for QB Juice Williams' third-&-goal 1-yard touchdown burst that concluded a 9-play, 84-yard possession … Head to Head Competition-DE#99-Corey Wootton (6:07-280)-No tackles … Offensive Impact-Fulton recorded eight knockdowns and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 91% … Helped the team gain 321 yards with four touchdowns on 65 carries (4.94 ypc) and generate 541 total yards on 88 snaps (6.15 yards per play).

Southern California (Rose Bowl) … Fulton was called for a false start in the fourth quarter, but he also had a touchdown-resulting block while holding his main blocking assignment to no tackles … On the team's first possession of the second half, he cut down defensive end Kyle Moore at the line of scrimmage and blasted linebacker Brian Cushing down field, springing tailback Rashard Mendenhall for a 79-yard touchdown jaunt … Head to Head Competition-DE#93-Everson Griffen (6:03-266)-No tackles … Offensive Impact-Fulton recorded four knockdowns and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 85% … Helped the team gain 144 yards with one touchdown on 37 carries (3.89 ypc) and generate 445 total yards on 73 snaps (6.10 yards per play).

Fulton was granted a medical hardship, as he continued to recover from his 2005 left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Fulton started the first seven games at right defensive end, missing the rest of the season after injuring his left knee vs. Penn State … Recorded 13 tackles (six solo) with an assisted sack for minus-2 yards and a stop for a 6-yard loss … Blocked one kick, batted away a pass and added a trio of quarterback pressures.

Opened the season with three pressures and two assisted tackles vs. Rutgers … Had two more stops, as he assisted on a sack vs. San Jose State … Made one tackle and broke up a pass vs. California, adding another solo hit vs. Michigan State … Tallied four tackles vs. Iowa and posted another four hits (3 solos) with 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, as he also blocked an extra point attempt vs. Indiana.

Appeared in eight games as a true freshman, starting the team's final three contests vs. Iowa, Indiana and Northwestern at right defensive end … Collected six tackles (3 solos) with a pass deflection and two quarterback pressures … Also appeared in the Western Michigan, Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota clashes.

Made his first career tackle, adding two pressures while batting down a pass vs. Michigan … Added a pair of tackles in each of the Minnesota and Indiana games.

2005: Suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee vs. Penn State (10/22), missing the final four games vs. Wisconsin, Ohio State, Purdue and Northwestern.

2006: Granted a medical hardship while recovering from his 2005 knee injury.

2007: Left the Indiana game (9/22) in the third quarter with a right ankle sprain, but returned to the contest after several series.

2008: Suffered a shoulder dislocation in the third quarter vs. Iowa (11/01) … Returned to start the following week vs. Western Michigan (11/08), but missed most of that contest when he again dislocated the shoulder.

Campus: 5.09 in the 40-yard dash … 1.77 10-yard dash … 2.94 20-yard dash … 4.57 20-yard shuttle … 7.62 three-cone drill … 29-inch vertical jump … 9'3" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times … 520-pound squat … 33-inch arm length … 10 1/8-inch hands.

Attended Homewood-Flossmoor (Ill.) High School, playing football for head coach Tom Bailey … Rated one of the Top 25 players in the state of Illinois by Insiders.com, Rivals.com and ESPN … Added All-Area honors from the Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Southtown and Star Newspapers, adding All-Region recognition from Super Prep … Recorded 98 tackles (58 solos) with 7.5 quarterback sacks, seventeen pressures, three blocked field goals, three fumble recoveries and five pass deflections as a senior.

Sociology major … Son of Alma and Glen Fulton … Born Xavier Allen Fulton on 4/18/86 … Resides in Flossmoor, Illinois.