Basketball helped power Jets' Fant to football success

George Fant spent most of his college days at Western Kentucky shooting basketballs and grabbing rebounds as a physical power forward with big-time hoop dreams.

He had idea n that football would ultimately be his path to stardom.

Heck, Fant didn't even play sport until his fifth year of college. Yet, here he is with New York Jets with a hefty contract and a likely starting gig at offensive tackle as one of Sam Darld's newest protectors.

“My love for basketball has kind of changed to my love for football,” Fant said Thursday during a Zoom call with reporters. “I kind of got burned out with basketball. And w I’m, like, freshly in love with a new sport."

After four seasons in Seattle as a backup and sometime starter, Fant signed a three-year, $30 million deal with Jets in March. It was one of first major offseason moves by general manr Joe Douglas and signaled beginning of an overhaul of New York's offensive line.

“I’m excited about his athleticism," Douglas said. "I think he’s going to be a good fit into our scheme. things he can do, his lateral quickness, he’s going to have a great opportunity to come in and compete for a starting spot.”

Jets also selected massive Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton with . 11 overall pick in draft, and Fant is looking forward to working with youngster. With 6-foot-7, 364-pound Becton's arrival, though, it's uncertain if 27-year-old Fant will man left tackle spot or rookie.

“I’m t really getting that deep into that thing,” Fant said. “It’s t even about position. It’s about just getting on field.”

That said, Fant had very specific intentions when he signed with Jets.

“I’ll say that, you kw, that was my thing for leaving Seattle: I wanted to play left tackle,” Fant said. “I feel really comfortable at position. I think that’s where I offer best abilities and be able to help team most. I’m versatile, I can play both sides. I’ve played right tackle spot as well and I’ve done a pretty good job with that side.”

Wherever he ends up, Fant has set lofty goals. And, he fully intends to meet m.

“An All-Pro level, that’s what I feel I’m capable of getting to," he said. "I’ve just got to go out and prove that w."

It's difficult to believe he won't do exactly that. t after all he has already accomplished.

Fant grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with basketball all around him. His mor, Kim, played at Western Kentucky and his far, George, served as a men's basketball manr for Hilltoppers coaches Clem Haskins and Murray Arld. So, it seemed only natural that Fant would also end up on a court.

And, it turned out, he was really good. At 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, he was a force, leading Western Kentucky in rebounding in each of his last three seasons and placing eighth on school's career list. Fant averd a career-high 13.8 points as a senior, and finished 13th in school history in points.

With an extra year of eligibility remaining after his final basketball season, but realizing his pro aspirations might take him overseas instead of NBA, Fant finally gave football a try — after t having played it since eighth grade. He was initially slotted as a tight end — following a path set by fellow basketball-turned-football stars Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham and Julius Thomas. Fant played in 12 games, mostly on special teams, and had one catch for 7 yards.

“I wasn’t able to lift weights in basketball because I would get too big,” said Fant, who w weighs 322 pounds. “I couldn’t jump or move like I wanted to. So, once I got to football and started lifting weights, I immediately went from like 250 to like 280. It was kind of getting rough to be a tight end, so I moved positions a lot.”

Despite Fant's football inexperience, Seattle liked his athleticism and signed him as an undrafted free nt in 2016. He was moved to offensive tackle, won a backup job — and made his first career start in Week 8 of his rookie season.

And, he believes his basketball skills helped him make a successful jump to football.

“I feel like when I’m on field, I’m probably most athletic person on field," he said. "That plays out great for me, especially in pass (protection). I look at it like I’m playing defense, just moving my feet, standing in front of defender. I’m just adding my hand placements and stuff in re w.”

Fant has played in 46 NFL games with 24 starts, showing consistent promise as he continues to learn game. And, he looks forward to powering his way to success.

Just as he once did on basketball court.

“I’m just ready for ar opportunity to go out re and start,” Fant said, “and show NFL and everybody - and prove to myself as well — that I kw that I can play at a high caliber and really show what I can do.”