Finally healthy, Princeton Fant hoping to 'turn dreams into a reality'

Princeton Fant battled multiple serious knee injuries in high school, finishing his career with just 22 receptions.

At various points in the last three years, the LaVergne product believed his dream to play college football was over. Instead, the Vols wideout commit, who will move to Knoxville on Memorial Day, is ready to bounce-back from a pair of significant setbacks.

“I want to come in and show the coaches that I’m back,” said Fant, who is squatting, running and cutting just fine after reinjuring his knee in August.

“I want to show the people that the injury didn’t stop who I am or how I play my game. … I’m back at my body shape where I can explode, get off the ball fast and run my routes crisper. Just picking up speed. It’s a little lighter on my knee. My knee feels great. I have full (mobility). I bend it all the way back without any problems. I’m cutting great. I don’t favor it anymore. It’s still on my mind, but I don’t think about it as much when I’m training anymore.”

A year ago, Fant worked to return from a torn ACL in his right knee. At the time, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound wideout had never even heard of the “anterior cruciate ligament,” but Fant quickly discovered the long and lonely recovery process of suffering such a serious injury. After missing his entire junior season, Fant worked to be ready for LaVergne’s opener last fall. He played the first few weeks of his senior season before making a wrong cut playing safety.

Then it happened again.

Fant’s comeback was short-lived, as he suffered a second setback with another slight tear in his right knee. Fant was devastated, believing that Tennessee, who’d stuck with him through the initial knee injury, would parts ways and he’d be left looking for future options.

Instead, coach Butch Jones and the rest of the Vols' staff remained loyal to the in-state wideout again, telling Fant the weekend of the Florida game that they would honor his scholarship.

“That gave me great relief. A lot of confidence,” Fant explained.

“Turning my dreams into a reality. Man, when coach Jones and them told me that. They pulled me and my mom in their office, it gave my mom a relief and it gave me a relief.

“All I can say is that it’s a blessing. This injury has humbled me. It humbled me to not be so cocky at times. It humbled me to know that anything can happen and football can be take away from you that quick. Just knowing that coach Jones and Tennessee wanted me there is just a blessing.”

With one rehab already in the books, Fant has approached his second rehab with a clearer mind and a more tireless work ethic. He doesn’t want to squander his second chance.

“I knew what I had to do to get back. I knew what it would take,” he said. “I had a lot of support behind me. People telling me to go for the prize and that everything was going to be OK. The thing that really pushed me was my mom, because she kept telling me everything is going to be ok.”

Fant is excited to report to Tennessee with his close friend and high school teammate Maleik Gray. The two plan on being roommates this summer.

“That’s the hope,” Fant said. “We asked the coaches if we can get something situated.”

Fant is exited to work with new receivers coach Kevin Beard, and especially learn some tricks of the trade from Tennessee wideouts Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway. While Fant has tantalizing potential as a bigger body at wideout for the Vols (he’s been previously clocked at 4.6-seconds in the 40-yard dash with a 37-inch vertical), he knows he could be in store for a redshirt season since he's so raw at the position.

He’d naturally prefer to play, but is prepared for whatever is best for his longterm future.

“If they redshirt me, it actually would kind of help me out a little bit because I could focus on my knee more and do what I have to do to make it stronger,” he said.

“But of course, I don’t want to redshirt. I want to try and come in and make a big impact and help the team out.”

CATCHING UP WITH PRINCETON FANT...

How would you describe your strengths as a player? Stylistic comparison?

“He’s not in the NFL yet, but I’d say Mike Williams from Clemson. Because he’s a big physical receiver that likes to go up and get the ball. That’s one thing I like, to use my physical abilities as an advantage against corners. Go up and get the ball and be physical.”

What's on the playlist right now?

"Migos. I listen to a little bit of gospel music to get me in the right mind sometimes. Really, I listen to any music. Any music gets me hyped. You’ll probably see me dancing on the field or in practice this year. Migos. Young Jeezy. Everything.”

Favorite TV show?

“The Walking Dead and Z Nation. I like the zombie shows.”

If you could meet anyone who would it be?

"I'd have to say Odell Beckham Jr."