Jay Fullam will have more of a role in McCallie’s offense this year, but the 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior considers safety first.

That’s safety as in defensive back, and that’s safety as in why he accepted a football scholarship offer from Vanderbilt.

“Tennessee was looking at me as an outside linebacker. Vanderbilt told me I would be playing safety, and that was a factor in my decision,” said Fullam, an integral part of the Blue Tornado’s hope to improve on last year’s 5-5 season.

“Jay is a smart football player, and the way he plays his position has allowed us to do the things we do defensively with coverages and zone blitzes,” McCallie coach Rick Whitt said. “Last year he might get eight to 10 snaps on offense and touch the ball five or six times per game. We’re committed to doing more than that. We have other guys we can get the ball to, but we’ll be trying to find ways to get him the ball.”

Fullam had 77 tackles last year after leading the state in Division II as a sophomore with 105. As a running back in 2007, he averaged 8.8 yards per carry with five touchdowns. He also averaged 27.9 yards on 10 kickoff returns.

Vanderbilt coaches were quick to recognize Fullam’s skill and almost as quick to make their offer, one he accepted over solid offers from Northwestern and the Air Force and Naval academies.

Although he is committed to the Commodores, he continues to receive recruiting letters and e-mails.

“Nothing has changed, although I don’t talk to coaches on the phone. It’s the same stuff other than from Vanderbilt’s standpoint,” said Fullam, who said he doesn’t see his mind changing. “There is part of you that says you almost have to leave your options open because it is a verbal commitment. You never know. They could drop out or somebody could come along and sweep you off your feet.

“I have my mind set as long as they don’t change their mind. You take it for what it’s worth.”

Whitt had Fullam figured for one of the military academies but said a major-conference offer was no surprise.

“That’s because of the way he works and his academic side,” the coach said. “Our coaches felt he could play at the Division I level. He was recruited by Tennessee and some others, but Jay felt Vandy was a good fit for him from the academics to the school and the city of Nashville.

“He’ll fit in nicely because he’s a good football player and a great young man. He is a great representative of the character and integrity and what our program stands for.”

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