AFA's Cobb keeps focus as he tries to lock down starting fullback role

Wes Cobb can’t help but notice that he has taken just about every first-team repetition at fullback this week in Air Force football practice.

He also understands what this means. Air Force is looking for a new starting fullback, and Cobb has emerged as the clear favorite. Next week the team moves into preparation for its season opener against South Dakota, so the odds of someone catching Cobb before the first game Sept. 3 are probably slim.

Cobb would rather not think about it too much. He can’t take anything for granted.

“It’s kind of there, but no matter where you fall (on the depth chart) – one, two, three, four – you just have to try to better yourself,” Cobb said.

Cobb hasn’t been guaranteed anything, even though Air Force coach Troy Calhoun gave him a huge vote of confidence after a scrimmage last Saturday. He came into camp in a tight battle with Mike DeWitt, but his consistency in practice has given him an edge.

Cobb has a pretty good grasp of what is expected out of him in the Falcons’ offense.

Cobb was a fullback in high school, switched to tailback at Air Force, and then was moved back to fullback before training camp last year. Playing fullback in high school helped the transition back, and he has the right mentality for the job.

“As a tailback, you’re expected to be a little more elusive, bring the power and elusiveness in the open field. At fullback you’re going in the trenches all the time,” Cobb said. “You have to stay low, keep grinding and if something’s not there you have to make something happen. That’s what Air Force football is all about.”

Physically, he might not stand out because he isn’t very tall and is listed at just 196 pounds. Backups DeWitt and freshman Ben Souther do a better job passing the eye test. But Cobb is more than capable of getting tough yards.  

“He’s got big legs, and those legs keep churning too,” defensive end Zach Payne said last month. “He’s tough to tackle. He’s a bowling ball coming through there.”

Cobb has separated himself from the pack this month because he has been reliable. He has shown a good grasp of the offense and hasn’t blown many assignments. When Calhoun praised Cobb last week, he pointed out those reasons for why he emerged as the top fullback after two weeks of practice.

“Coach talks about consistency and being a down after down guy and going hard and doing the right assignment,” Cobb said. “I think that’s what we as a running back group are trying to do.”

If Cobb does enter the season as the clear No. 1 fullback, it is a great opportunity. Air Force’s top three fullbacks combined for more than 1,000 rushing yards last year, and there’s no reason to think the position won’t be productive again.

“I’m just trying not to get too excited, trying not to feed into the hype, just stay down to earth with the rest of my teammates, get my assignments done and get my job done,” Cobb said.