Good Sports: Tyler Clutts

OXNARD, Calif. (KFSN) -- More and more Fresno State Bulldogs are making a name for themselves in the NFL every season.

Two former Fresno State football stars found themselves on the same field this week at the Cowboys and Raiders joint training camp in Oxnard. But the two took remarkably different routes to get there.

"I'm so happy for Derek and so proud of him because he really represents Fresno State so well. And everything he's done along his way, I mean he's done just the right way," said Cowboys fullback Tyler Clutts.

Derek Carr was taken in the second round of this year's draft to be Oakland's quarterback of the future.

Tyler Clutts was never drafted and played football in Canada indoors and the minor leagues before spending the last four years in the NFL with five different teams.

"Well we love Tyler," said Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett. "He's one of those guys who brings a lot of toughness to your team, a lot of maturity to your team. He loves to play. He's got kind of an infectious way about him."

The 29-year-old Clovis High grad was a two-time first-team all-WAC defensive lineman at Fresno State but now earns his paycheck as a fullback lining up right behind Tony Romo.

"That's the thing at this position you got to really just go out and look to hit somebody on every play," said Clutts.

"He's just the kind of guy that you want. He's a rugged guy. He's almost a throwback, an old-time type player," said Coach Garrett.

The proud father understands how fortunate he is to be a professional athlete, after coming so close to leaving his passion so many times before.

"I appreciate every time I step on this field because I mean there was a couple times where I thought football was done for me, but I'm so blessed to be where I'm at, and God's allowed me to continue this for a long time and hopefully a little bit longer," said Clutts.

And it's that attitude along with his blue-collar work ethic that has made Clutts a favorite of his college coach, his current coach, and many more Red Wavers now proudly wearing blue.

"We live in Fresno in the off-season," said Clutts. "I love going home because the support in Fresno is so great. Everywhere you go, guys are just awesome and really supportive."

"He's somebody that really can be an asset to us," said Coach Garrett. "We want to be a physical football team. That fullback position can make a difference, and he's certainly the kind of guy we're looking to have on this football team."