MURFREESBORO — To earn a scholarship offer from an SEC football school is an accomplishment in itself.
La Vergne’s Princeton Fant on, Saturday, July 30, 2016.
To do that after having sat out your junior year with an injury makes the feat even more substantial.
Such is the case with La Vergne senior wide receiver Princeton Fant, who recently committed to Tennessee and is healthy entering the 2016 high school season.
No. 8 on The Tennessean’s Dandy Dozen, Fant is anxious to get back on the field under the lights on Friday nights, but impressing college scouts is no longer a priority. The Dandy Dozen is a list of the top senior college football prospects in Middle Tennessee as selected by The Tennessean high school sports staff with input from area high school coaches and recruiting services.
“I just want to be a great wide receiver and captain,” said the 6-3, 210-pound Fant, who missed the 2015 season after tearing an ACL the prior spring. “When it gets tough in the fourth quarter, I want to be the one keeping everyone positive and not let the team get down.”
Fant had 14 receptions for 326 yards in 2014. He also carried the ball nine times for 141 yards. His size and speed made him a viable Division I recruit, despite the little sample size.
“I have a lot of confidence,” said Fant, who will make up a tough 1-2 punch at wide receiver for the Wolverines, along with fellow senior and UT commit Maleik Gray.
“Coaches are going to expect a lot out of me and Maleik to make plays at crucial times. I want to be a playmaker. I want to go up and make the big plays.”
Fant has injury rehab and his college decision out of the way where he can concentrate on making the big plays.
“I want to play college ball and I obviously don’t want to hurt my knee again,” Fant said. “But I feel confident and I’ll play without any fear this year. I’m ready to go to the next level, but first I’m ready to ball (at La Vergne), after missing a whole season.”
Reach Cecil Joyce at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @CecilJoyce.
PRINCETON FANT
La Vergne, Wide receiver
Height: 6-3 Weight: 210
247Sports composite: Three stars
College plans: Committed to Tennessee on June 18.
2015 statistics: Sat out entire junior season with a torn right ACL.