2015 NFL Draft Prospects: Fullbacks

By Charlie Campbell.
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The top 2015 fullback prospects available for the 2015 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2016 prospect. ** – denotes 2017 prospect.

This page was last updated April 27, 2015. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Jalston Fowler, FB, Alabama
   Height: 5-11. Weight: 254.
   40 Time: 4.94.
   Projected Round (2015): 4-6.
   4/27/15: Sources say they expect Fowler to be drafted in the fourth or fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Fowler is the rare fullback prospect who is a powerful load as a lead blocker yet can run the football and be a receiving weapon out of the backfield. He blocked really well for Alabama’s talented running backs in 2014. The senior also had 11 catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns, along with 12 carries for 69 yards.
   
   Fowler looks to be worthy of a third-day pick with the potential to be a starting fullback and special teams contributor in the NFL. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl and showed that he’s ready to compete immediately. While Fowler didn’t run fast at the Combine, he looked athletic in the field drills as a runner and receiver.
   
   Some teams are hoping Fowler goes under the radar and a targeting him in the middle of Day 3. He is a rare fullback who could go as high as the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
   
   8/23/14 Fowler flashed at times in 2013, but looked rusty in the early going following 2012’s knee injury. He played better as the season progressed. Fowler ran for 88 yards on 19 carries in 2013. He had seven receptions for 15 yards.
   
   Fowler hurt his knee against Western Kentucky in Alabama’s second game of 2012. The injury required surgery and took him out for the year.
   
   The junior was an absolute force as a lead blocker for Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon in the 2012 season opener against Michigan. Fowler also carried the ball eight times for 67 yards versus the Wolverines. He had 56 carries for 385 yards and four touchdowns in 2011 as a sophomore.
   
   Fowler looks like a starting fullback in the NFL and a special teams contributor.
   
   



2. Connor Neighbors, FB, LSU
   Height: 5-10. Weight: 242.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.89.
   Projected Round (2015): 6-FA.
   4/27/15: Neighbors was a good blocker for LSU. He didn’t contribute as a runner, but helped open up holes for his backs. Neighbors made four receptions for 27 yards in 2014. He recorded seven receptions for 92 yards the year before. Neighbors participated at the Senior Bowl, but that didn’t help or hurt his stock significantly. He didn’t participate in the Combine.
   
   
3. Zach Zenner, FB/RB, South Dakota State
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 220.
   40 Time: 4.60.
   Projected Round (2015): 6-FA.
   4/27/15: Zenner was a good producer for the Jackrabbits in 2014 and also put together a respectable showing at the East-West Shrine. For the NFL, he may be better off adding some weight and moving to fullback. Zenner probably will have to make a roster by being a standout on special teams.



4. Tyler Varga, FB, Yale
   Height: 5-11. Weight: 222.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.82.
   Projected Round (2015): 6-FA.
   4/27/15: The Senior Bowl likes to mix in a player or two from the Ivy League, and Varga did enough to earn the spot this year. He has NFL size and had a strong week at Mobile. Varga ran well in the game, including for a pair of touchdowns. He is a physical runner and could be a good enough athlete to stick as a fullback and special teams contributor on an NFL roster. Varga didn’t run at the Combine.
   
   



5. Zach Zwinak, FB, Penn State
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 233.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
   Projected Round (2015): 7-FA.
   4/27/15: Zwinak averaged 2.8 yards per carry in 2014 for 112 yards with three touchdowns. Halfway through the season, he went out for the year with a lower left leg injury. Zwinak didn’t participate in the Combine.
   
   8/27/14: Zwinak plays running back for Penn State, but he will probably have to move to fullback in the NFL. As a junior, Zwinak had another good season running for 989 yards with an average of 4.7 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns. He had only three receptions for 27 yards.
   
   Zwinak led the team in rushing in 2012 as a physical downhill runner. The bruiser ran for 1000 yards on 203 carries with six touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 177 yards and a score. Zwinak ended 2012 on fire. He ripped off big totals in the last four games against Purdue (21-134), Nebraska (21-141-1), Indiana (29-135-1) and Wisconsin (36-179-1). Zwinak also went over 100 yards versus Illinois (19-100-2) and Northwestern (28-121-1).
   
   Personal: Son of B.J. Zwinak and Diane Thomas.
   
   
6. Hunter Joyer, FB, Florida
   Height: 5-10. Weight: 249.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
   Projected Round (2015): FA.
   4/27/15: In 2014, Joyer made six receptions for 29 yards with a touchdown. He packs a punch as a lead blocker. Joyer didn’t participate in the Combine.
   
   8/23/14 Joyer ran for 18 yards on three carries in 2013. He also made two catches for 12 yards and a score. Joyer did a nice job handling the majority of the lead-blocking duties for the Gators, but he doesn’t offer much as a receiver or runner.
   
   Joyer is a powerful blocker at the point of attack. He had a superb 2012 season as the lead blocker for Mike Gillislee. Joyer only had two carries for zero yards. He is the go-to blocking fullback for Florida, while Trey Burton is the team’s running and receiving fullback.
   
   

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