GREEN BAY, WI- He got his shot and now he has to make the most of it.

The NFL’s Green Bay Packers announced this week that they have signed former Chowan University defensive back David Fulton.  The transaction was announced Tuesday by Ted Thompson, Green Bay’s Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.

The Packers are currently in the second week of OTA’s (organized team activities) at the Don Hutson Center practice facility in Wisconsin.

Fulton, meanwhile, graduated from Chowan in the spring of 2013 with a degree in Criminal Justice but was not taken in the April NFL Player Draft.  The Raleigh native, a product of Southeast Raleigh High School, played in 34 games over the course of his college career and compiled 101 total tackles for the Hawks (66 solo, 35 assisted).  As a senior, Fulton hauled in four interceptions in conference action, ranking 2^nd in league play in that same category.  Fulton also collected nine pass break-ups during his senior campaign to contribute to a career total of 15.  Additionally, he was one of six Hawks to receive an invitation to compete in the D-II vs. NAIA Senior Bowl Game in Myrtle Beach, SC in December of 2012.

A student-athlete that flew “under the radar” for most of his career, Fulton used a monster senior year to ready himself for future professional opportunities.

“I’m dumbfounded as to how he wasn’t All-conference,” said sixth-year Chowan head coach Tim Place. “Only three passes were completed on him all year.”

“He may have helped turn our season,” Place added. “We were at Shaw with a record of 1-2 and trailed in that game at halftime. In the second half, he intercepted a pass and took it 58 yards for a ‘pick-six’ and that changed the whole game.”

Fulton originally joined the Hawks as a walk-on, but grew to become an integral part of the team’s success as his career progressed.

“Even David will tell you it was a team effort,” said Place. “He always had the ability and (Chowan assistant) coaches Matesic, Henderson, and Nesbit – and his Mom – all had a hand in his success. As we improved, he improved.”

“He got the opportunity he was looking for and now he has to take advantage of it,” Place added. “It’s great for our school and I’m happy for David.”

“You get in camp, you got a chance,” said the coach. “And that’s what he has right now.”

Fulton was part of the Hawks’ most successful season in NCAA Division-II program history as Chowan turned in a 6-4 overall record and 5-2 record in league play this past season.  The 2012 season was the most successful in terms of wins and conference finish since the school began its transition to a four year school in 1992 and joined the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in football in 2008 .  Predicted to finish 5^th in the CIAA North in 2012, the Hawks continued their rise in the conference with a 2^nd place finish in the Northern Division.

Fulton will wear No. 40 for the Green Bay Packers, and is the 21^st Hawk to go on to the professional ranks.