Top 50 Hokies Spotlight: The "Fuller Fam"

Over the years of television, there have been some iconic families that people at home watched religiously. The Brady’s (The Brady Bunch), The Tanners (Full House), The Cleavers (Leave It to Beaver), The Bunkers (All In The Family), and so many more. However, the Virginia Tech fan-base had their own family to watch: The Four Fullers.

Vinny, Corey, Kyle and Kendall make up the "Fuller Fam", who all left their mark in Blacksburg.

The eldest brother, Vincent (Vinny), started the trend of the family back in 2000 when he committed to the Hokies. He was key in solidifying some of Bud Foster’s best defenses in the early 2000s while wearing multiple hats.

Vinny played corner, free-safety, and special teams at Virginia Tech, but he was best known for his instincts and knack for the ball. In his career, Vinny recorded 142 tackles and an iconic 74-yard blocked field goal return in an upset against #7 West Virginia in 2004.

He was drafted in 2005 by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round (108^th overall) and spent six seasons with them. He played in 73 games for the Titans recording 135 tackles, six interceptions, and four defensive touchdowns.

He recently attained his JD from Fordham University School of Law and has worked for a firm in New York City since 2017.

Corey is the second oldest brother of the group and is a multi-star athlete. He was an All-American track athlete in high school, leading him to the University of Kansas in 2008 on a scholarship. After two successful seasons of track and field, he decided to join his younger brother, Kyle, at Virginia Tech to play wide receiver for his final two seasons of college.

Corey recorded 43 receptions for 815 yards and six touchdowns his senior season (2012) and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 6^th round (171^st overall) in 2013.

He recently rejoined the Hokies as a part of the recruiting staff along with former player Jeron Gouveia-Winslow.

Kyle is the third brother in the Fuller household, arriving to Blacksburg in 2010. He was also a track-star in high school, but focused on football prior to his arrival. He was a 3-star prospect ranked the 43^rd CB in the country, with everything to prove.

As a true freshman Kyle started seven games, recording 32 tackles mainly coming in as the nickel or ‘whip’ backer. He was selected second-team All-ACC as a sophomore in 2011 playing whip/nickel backer and as a corner. He had 65 tackles with a whopping team-high 14.5 for loss along with 4.5 sacks - as a defensive back. Clearly Kyle, like his brother Vinny, had great instincts, but he also had great technique on top of that.

After two more successful seasons, Kyle was drafted by the Chicago Bears as the 14^th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft where he still plays today. He has been selected for the Pro Bowl twice (2018, 2019) and was first team All-Pro in 2018. In his first six years of professional football, he has 325 tackles and 18 interceptions with a wonderful career still ahead of him.

The last of the Fuller Fam is Kendall who was the highest rated prospect out of the four coming out of high-school. He was the 17^th ranked player in the country (per 247 sports) with the coveted 5-star seal, one the highest ranked players ever to commit to Virginia Tech. Kendall committed to the Hokies in July of 2012 just before his senior season, then arrived to Blacksburg in 2013.

Kendall made a splash his true-freshman season, starting in 12 games, recording 38 tackles and six interceptions. Rightfully so, he was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Returning for his sophomore season, he recorded 32 tackles and two interceptions with 17 pass deflections. No one wanted to throw the ball anywhere near Kendall because he could make plays (like the one below) at any moment.

Kendall entered the draft early in 2015 and was picked in the third round (84^th overall) by the Washington Football Team (formerly Redskins). In a controversial trade, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018 for quarterback Alex Smith. He was named the starter by head coach Andy Reid, recording 82 tackles and two interceptions in 15 games.

This past season, Kendall was able to live every pro’s dream: a Super Bowl ring. He did it in style, making a crucial pass deflection and the game-winning interception.

In March of 2020, Kendall was traded back to the Washington Football Team for a four-year $40 million dollar deal.

29 sets of brothers have come through the Virginia Tech football program, which is an anomaly within itself. However, the Fullers have made their own legacy as brothers in Blacksburg. It was more than just playing football at Virginia Tech, they created a bond with fans and that is something Hokie Nation can appreciate. Fans will always be grateful for their play, but with Corey now on staff, it won't stop there.