Notre Dame CB target Jordan Fuller has ties to multiple programs

Long-term relationships could pull Jordan Fuller out of New Jersey.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound rising senior has ties to a number of college football programs that would like to sign him in 2016

Fuller's closest tie belongs to family. His older brother, Devin, enters his senior season this fall as a wide receiver at UCLA. The Bruins have become familiar to the four-star recruit.

“I know how well they treat him,” said the younger Fuller. “I know the inner workings of the program. I know a lot about them so it helps.”

Some of Fuller’s other ties to programs come from his New Jersey roots. At Notre Dame, Fuller has connections to freshman quarterback Brandon Wimbush and sophomore defensive end Andrew Trumbetti, both former Jersey prep stars themselves. Fuller has known Wimbush since he was six years old. The two ran track together as children.

“I talk to him quite a bit about Notre Dame.”

Fuller also works with Wimbush’s trainer, former Syracuse quarterback Madei Williams. Now the Notre Dame coaching staff is trying to establish relationships of its own with Fuller. Tight ends coach Scott Booker and defensive backs coach Todd Lyght keep in touch with the cornerback target.

“He’s very cool,” Fuller said of Booker. “He’s a funny guy. He just tells me I have to get on campus.”

Fuller plans to do so July 30. He will visit TCU later that week and hopes to visit Alabama in the future.

“The balance between academics and football is very attractive,” Fuller said of Notre Dame.

Notre Dame, like other colleges, projects Fuller as a cornerback despite playing a variety of positions in high school. Fuller’s junior season at Northern Valley Regional in Old Tappan was delayed with a broken wrist. But in just eight games, Fuller accounted for 12 touchdowns — five rushing, three receiving, three passing and one returned interception. On defense, Fuller recorded 53 tackles and three interceptions.

Fuller’s versatility has landed him in the athlete category in 247Sports and Rivals rankings. 247Sports slates him as the No. 4 athlete and No. 83 overall in the 2016 class. Rivals pegs him as the No. 19 athlete.

His athleticism has gained the of attention football programs across the country — previous connections or not. Fuller has spent time this year making visits to Rutgers, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Stanford and UCLA.

The Wolverines are also trying to pull Fuller to the Midwest with New Jersey connections. Former Paramus (N.J.) Catholic head coach Chris Partridge, who was hired in Michigan’s recruiting office this year, was his lead recruiter before defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin started developing a relationship with him.

“He’s a real cool guy, very honest,” Fuller said of Partridge. “He’s a Jersey guy also near me so I can relate to him a lot.”

Michigan has already grabbed verbal commitments from two players — defensive end Ron Johnson and wide receiver Brad Hawkins — in the state.

Fuller doesn’t have a top list of schools or a timeline for a decision — other than that it isn’t likely to come until after his senior season. It could all come down to relationships.

“Just overall comfort with the coaches, the campus, the atmosphere there,” Fuller said when asked what could be the deciding factor in his recruitment.

His ties to a school might be the tiebreaker.

Below are Fuller's junior highlights.

tjames@ndinsider.com | 574-235-6214 | Twitter: @TJamesNDI