Fresno State Athletics
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Photo by: Nikko Gutierrez
One more season: Fullwood ready to make it count
8/19/2026 4:40:00 PM | Football
Rolan Fullwood thought his time as a Bulldog was over.
He had already played what he believed would be his final game in a Fresno State uniform. With his college career seemingly behind him, the veteran offensive lineman had shifted his focus toward what might come next, participating in Fresno State's Pro Day and lifting in the weight room when head coach Matt Entz walked in.
Entz had a serious look on his face.
Fullwood wasn't sure what was coming, but in true Rolan Fullwood fashion, he kept smiling at his head coach, hoping Entz would eventually give him one back.
As Entz got closer, he did.
Fullwood had been granted an extension of eligibility by the NCAA.
"I just jumped up and down and started yelling," Fullwood recalled, "I gave Coach a big hug. I was so excited."
For anyone who has spent much time around the 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman, the reaction was fitting.Â
"I just always try to have high energy," Fullwood said. "I'm a very happy person. I feel like a lot of people can feed off my energy. I just try to keep high energy."
That energy has remained a constant throughout a Fresno State career in which almost everything else has changed.
Fullwood appeared in just five games through his first four seasons with the Bulldogs. After utilizing his redshirt year in 2021, he played in three games in 2022 and just one in each of the following two seasons.
In an era of college football where the transfer portal gives players more opportunities than ever to seek playing time elsewhere, Fullwood stayed the course.
Fresno State had become home for him.Â
"I didn't want to leave," Fullwood said of spending his career in the Valley. "Just knowing that there's guys that have been here through the fire with you. They've seen you develop, they've seen what you've been through. So it just feels great. It's just like a family."
Then came a coaching change.
When Entz and his staff arrived in the Valley ahead of the 2025 season, Fullwood saw a fresh start.
"I was excited for the opportunity," Fullwood said. "I thought the style of offense this staff wanted to play could fit my skillset. I couldn't wait for the coaches to get in and start coaching us."
It didn't take long for that opportunity to materialize.
After years spent primarily in a reserve role, Fullwood climbed the depth chart during the spring and earned consistent first-team reps. By the fall, he had secured the starting job at right tackle.
Fullwood went on to play all 12 games that he was available for last season, helping pave the way for a Bulldog rushing attack that produced 2,216 yards, the most yards Fresno State has had on the ground since 2014.Â
He finished the season as one of the best pass blocking tackles in the Mountain West. According to ProFootballFocus, he had 76.2 grade, second in the league.Â
For Fullwood, the opportunity meant even more because of the staff that gave it to him.
"First and foremost, they believed in me," Fullwood said. "They gave me a chance, and that's something that I really appreciate."
The smile and energy that carried him through the years spent waiting for his chance remained once he got it. In an offense built around establishing a physical presence on the ground, Fullwood believes that energy serves a purpose, too.
"It's very important because that type of energy is what's going to help us run the ball," Fullwood said.
Fullwood's role has continued to evolve heading into the 2026 season. Entz has preached the importance of the Bulldogs becoming a player-led team, and Fullwood has embraced the challenge. Throughout fall camp, his leadership has been evident both within the offensive line room and beyond it.Â
"I wanted to step into a leadership role," Fullwood said. "That's something I wanted for myself. I'm going to make sure I'm doing the right things to lead the team, make sure the team holds me accountable and make sure I hold the team accountable. I want to push this team. Not just the O-line, but the D-line, the receivers, the quarterbacks. I'm trying to push everyone."
Fullwood's journey is a testament to the work he continued to put in, his dedication to the program and the positive attitude he carried through adversity.Â
Now, given one more season as a Bulldog, he knows exactly what he wants to do with it.
"I was given another season, and I have one goal: win a Pac-12 Championship," Fullwood said.
And when game day rolls around, if you're looking for No. 71, he shouldn't be too hard to find.
He'll be the one with the smile.
Â
He had already played what he believed would be his final game in a Fresno State uniform. With his college career seemingly behind him, the veteran offensive lineman had shifted his focus toward what might come next, participating in Fresno State's Pro Day and lifting in the weight room when head coach Matt Entz walked in.
Entz had a serious look on his face.
Fullwood wasn't sure what was coming, but in true Rolan Fullwood fashion, he kept smiling at his head coach, hoping Entz would eventually give him one back.
As Entz got closer, he did.
Fullwood had been granted an extension of eligibility by the NCAA.
"I just jumped up and down and started yelling," Fullwood recalled, "I gave Coach a big hug. I was so excited."
For anyone who has spent much time around the 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman, the reaction was fitting.Â
"I just always try to have high energy," Fullwood said. "I'm a very happy person. I feel like a lot of people can feed off my energy. I just try to keep high energy."
That energy has remained a constant throughout a Fresno State career in which almost everything else has changed.
Fullwood appeared in just five games through his first four seasons with the Bulldogs. After utilizing his redshirt year in 2021, he played in three games in 2022 and just one in each of the following two seasons.
In an era of college football where the transfer portal gives players more opportunities than ever to seek playing time elsewhere, Fullwood stayed the course.
Fresno State had become home for him.Â
"I didn't want to leave," Fullwood said of spending his career in the Valley. "Just knowing that there's guys that have been here through the fire with you. They've seen you develop, they've seen what you've been through. So it just feels great. It's just like a family."
Then came a coaching change.
When Entz and his staff arrived in the Valley ahead of the 2025 season, Fullwood saw a fresh start.
"I was excited for the opportunity," Fullwood said. "I thought the style of offense this staff wanted to play could fit my skillset. I couldn't wait for the coaches to get in and start coaching us."
It didn't take long for that opportunity to materialize.
After years spent primarily in a reserve role, Fullwood climbed the depth chart during the spring and earned consistent first-team reps. By the fall, he had secured the starting job at right tackle.
Fullwood went on to play all 12 games that he was available for last season, helping pave the way for a Bulldog rushing attack that produced 2,216 yards, the most yards Fresno State has had on the ground since 2014.Â
He finished the season as one of the best pass blocking tackles in the Mountain West. According to ProFootballFocus, he had 76.2 grade, second in the league.Â
For Fullwood, the opportunity meant even more because of the staff that gave it to him.
"First and foremost, they believed in me," Fullwood said. "They gave me a chance, and that's something that I really appreciate."
The smile and energy that carried him through the years spent waiting for his chance remained once he got it. In an offense built around establishing a physical presence on the ground, Fullwood believes that energy serves a purpose, too.
"It's very important because that type of energy is what's going to help us run the ball," Fullwood said.
Fullwood's role has continued to evolve heading into the 2026 season. Entz has preached the importance of the Bulldogs becoming a player-led team, and Fullwood has embraced the challenge. Throughout fall camp, his leadership has been evident both within the offensive line room and beyond it.Â
"I wanted to step into a leadership role," Fullwood said. "That's something I wanted for myself. I'm going to make sure I'm doing the right things to lead the team, make sure the team holds me accountable and make sure I hold the team accountable. I want to push this team. Not just the O-line, but the D-line, the receivers, the quarterbacks. I'm trying to push everyone."
Fullwood's journey is a testament to the work he continued to put in, his dedication to the program and the positive attitude he carried through adversity.Â
Now, given one more season as a Bulldog, he knows exactly what he wants to do with it.
"I was given another season, and I have one goal: win a Pac-12 Championship," Fullwood said.
And when game day rolls around, if you're looking for No. 71, he shouldn't be too hard to find.
He'll be the one with the smile.
Â
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