Brandon Fulse studying Jay Prosch's film to take over at H-back

AUBURN –Brandon Fulse knows he has big shoes to fill.

Jay Prosch was "the glue" of Auburn's offense last season, as offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has put it. The H-back position is so critical to Gus Malzahn's Hurry-Up, No-Huddle offense, particularly the running game, and Prosch was among the best to play the position.

"Jay was the best blocker in college football last year," said Fulse, the leading candidate to take over as the "3-back" this fall. "I've been watching some last year film with Jay Prosch just trying to get the blocking down on what he does because he's a physical guy. I'm trying to be as physical as Jay Prosch."

Fulse played the role as a freshman in 2011 but played the more traditional tight end and "split 5" receiver position last season. He appreciates the importance of the role he's going to play this season.

"This is probably one of the keys besides quarterback," Fulse said. "This is a big role; we open up holes for everybody we hit our perimeter blocks for running backs, receivers. We mostly do it all; we go out, catch passes, we do it all, protect for the quarterback, we just do it all for this offense."

So far Fulse, C.J. Uzomah and Gage Batten have met the expectations of the coaching staff through the first four days of preseason camp.

"I have no issues with them knowing what to do," Lashlee said. "I've been really pleased with Brandon Fulse the first four days; he's done a great job. I'm excited he's got 20 whatever more practices we have to keep working it. But I feel like he's going to be a good job.

"He doesn't need to be Jay he needs to be Brandon. He's got certain strengths that are really good and he's got other areas he needs to improve on."

Fulse had just one catch for 5 yards last season, something he said was disappointing.

Prosch, who was drafted by the Houston Texans, had five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Fulse expects to be more involved in the passing game this season.

"I can do more things than Jay did outside the box," he said. "I'm going to be more involved in the passing game this year."

Fulse said he's slimmed down to 268 pounds, though the roster lists him at 258, from a previous high of 278.

The best blocking tight end on the roster, Fulse is enjoying the additional physicality of H-back as well, just not as much as Prosch.

"No. I think that's just a fullback thing," Fulse said. "I'm enjoying it because I have to do it, I want to do it. The team is looking forward to me taking that role, filling the shoes of Jay Prosch. I think I'm going to enjoy hitting people this year."