Junior fullback brings grit, goof

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - The fullback position has dwindled in popularity in recent years, thanks to the surge in spread offenses and pass-heavy attacks.

"Going through the recruiting processes, we're looking at linebackers. We're looking at defensive ends," Wyoming running backs coach Mike Bath said. "... We have to evaluate those type of guys and kind of transition them into that position."

Which makes Drew Van Maanen somewhat of a rare breed.

The Wyoming junior has played fullback since he was 6 years old.

That experience gives him more than just a sense of comfort with Wyoming's pro-style offense. It has allowed him to absorb the trinity of fullback character traits: Selflessness, toughness and more than a little kookiness.

The Cowboys' fullbacks don't expect much attention - especially when Wyoming's other running backs are putting up numbers like Brian Hill, who last year set the school's single-season rushing record.

"It's a very thankless position, but it's an extremely dependent position," Bath said. "We wouldn't be having success running the football if it wasn't for those fullbacks."

So when Van Maanen did receive some accolades earlier this month, being named preseason second-team all-American by Pro Football Focus, you can probably guess how much of credit he took himself.

"I give all my glory to God," he said. "It's something that he's truly blessed me with. It's not something that I did alone. I've got a team full of amazing guys that every single day pushed me day in, day out to get me where I am."

After all, it is just a preseason honor.

"That doesn't mean now that I'm on (the list), I'm going to go out and practice less or practice more," Van Maanen said.

The fullback's biggest reward comes when his team makes a big play on offense, even though his involvement typically goes unnoticed.

"As a fullback, and talking with the other guys, it doesn't matter to us," Van Maanen said. "We don't care that we don't run the ball, we don't catch the ball. We just do our job. We're one of the 11."

In Wyoming's second week of fall camp, Van Maanen limped off the field with what head coach Craig Bohl called a "soft tissue" injury and was unable to finish practice.

The next day, Van Maanen was back in practice without a hitch in his step or a red jersey on his back.

"I just took a little knee to the quad," he said. "It's football. That's what you've got to deal with when you're a fullback."

The fullback's job is essentially that of a human bulldozer. It takes a certain type of player to do the dirty work.

"We have to be a little on-edge," sophomore fullback Matt List said. "When you block, you have to put the extra emphasis on the block. You have to talk a little bit of smack, not so much but just a little bit. Just to show you're there. That's what makes our team very hard-nosed."

And hard-headed.

"If there's a little head ding or whatever, you can't really tell the trainers, stuff like that," List said. "We're out to play ball, and we've got to be the hard-nosed tough guys that we've got to be."

It fits right into the "Cowboy tough" ethos Bohl is trying to create.

"That's why I chose to play here is for that mentality," List said, "and I love that."

But if a fullback seems a little off in the head, don't blame it on the "dings." It's just another part of the job description.

"We're supposed to be these physical, dirty, kind of weird guys, and I think we try to embrace that and sometimes go out of our way," Ellis said. "We might not all naturally be that weird, but when we're on the field we've got to embrace it and do what we can."

Case in point: Their haircuts.

Last year, Van Maanen rocked a mullet all by himself.

"None of us were going to participate in the mullet," List said.

This year, Van Maanen was considering going fully bald, but again, he was having a tough time convincing his position mates to join him.

"I always try," he said. "Every year, I tell them, 'Let's do something. Let's all do something as a group,' and they're all about the chicks and stuff."

Apparently Van Maanen himself is not immune, as he eventually decided to revert to the Mohawk, the same look he donned two seasons ago.

"He has a girlfriend," List said. "... So that's why."

Plus, Van Maanen was able to convince his fellow fullbacks to join him. Besides List, all the fullbacks have Mohawks, and List says they look so good he's going to hop on the bandwagon.

Much like he does for Wyoming running backs, Van Maanen leads the way for the fullback group, whether he's pushing Mohawks or morale.

"I think his positivity is definitely key," List said. "When we're down or whatever he'll definitely pick us back up, and it's definitely something that gets us through practice."

It's a telltale sign of a lifelong fullback.

"That's what football's about," Van Maanen said. "If you're not out there having fun, you're not goofing with each other, messing with each other, then you're out there for the wrong reason.

"Yes, I understand there's so much more that goes into it, but you also have to remember fun is part of football."

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Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com