Gretna’s Fulper and Winn sign Letters of Intent

GRETNA — For cousins that anchored the Gretna offensive line for four seasons and two state championships, it was fitting that both shared the spotlight on National Signing Day.

Bennett Fulper signed his letter of intent to play at the University of Maryland while Ethan Winn signed on at Division II power Catawba on Wednesday, completing a high school journey for both that was more than successful.

“I’m happy for both of them because they’re going to places where I think they’ll be happy and they’ll play,” Gretna coach Chris Thurman said at the signing. “Both of those young men are smart and they’ll get a free education and as a coach, that’s what you hope for out of your kids.”

The Hawks went 47-4 with both on the lines and Gretna running backs and quarterbacks were able to accumulate more than 13,700 yards rushing in those four years. That caught the interest of Maryland early in the season for Fulper, when scouts from the university made a trip to Lovingston to see Gretna play Nelson County.

“(Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen) just told me to go where I felt comfortable and Maryland seemed like the place,” Fulper said Wednesday. “I felt very comfortable when I went up there on my official (visit) and I was really thinking about committing while I was on my official, but my parents told me I should sleep on it and that’s what I did. But, my heart was still on Maryland, so that’s where I picked.”

Despite Virginia making a late run, Fulper had already decided on Maryland over James Madison and a handful of other Division I-A and I-AA schools. While playing left tackle this past season, the 6-foot-5, 291-pound lineman also played center in his first three seasons with Gretna, which could be where he winds up at Maryland.

Fulper was named first-team All-State by the Associated Press on the defensive line. He also added first-team All-Dogwood District and first-team All-Region B honors on the defensive line, as well as second-team honors in the Dogwood on the offensive line.

In addition to a large challenge of moving from the smallest group in Virginia to one of the more competitive football conferences in America, Fulper soaked in advice he received while making his decision.

“Everybody I’ve talked to — I asked a lot of college players on my official — that speed change is the biggest difference,” Fulper said, “and I’m just trying to prepare myself in the weight room and running and stuff like that for the step up in speed and challenge that Maryland and the ACC have.”

For Winn, he was just relieved to get the day over with. It was a tough decision between scholarship offers between Catawba and Liberty and a walk-on opportunity at Virginia Tech, but Winn feels he made the right choice.

“I really liked the school and the classroom size and the fact that my two other teammates are down there playing already,” Winn said. “I know the school and have been to camp down there a couple of years, so that has been really important to me.”

Winn refers to Bryant Vennable and Tyon Bennett, who both played as freshmen in the defensive secondary. In addition to joining former teammates, the 6-foot-3, 285 pound lineman was second-team All-State on the offensive line, in addition to his first-team honors in the Dogwood District on both the offensive and defensive lines, and first-team All-Region B on offense and second-team All-Region B on defense.

“I fell like I’m ahead of a lot of guys that are the same age as me and I’m proud to be coming out of Gretna,” Winn said, “and they know at Catawba what Gretna is about and I’ll show them what I can do.”

As the cousins both sported black and white Under Armor t-shirts while signing, they both shared laughs and memories about their years at Gretna. It truly was a family affair.

“They’ll be missed at this place for sure.” Thurman said. “You can look at them and tell that they worked hard and, you know, it pays off. I’m really happy for those two.”