Princeton Fant

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Princeton Fant

| current_team = Dallas Cowboys

| number = 85

| position = Tight end

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|3|11|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lbs = 235

| high_school = La Vergne {{nowrap|(La Vergne, Tennessee)}}

| college = Tennessee (2017–2022)

| undraftedyear = 2023

| pastteams =

Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)

| status = Active

| pfr = FantPr00

}}

Princeton De'leon Fant (born March 11, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.

High school career

Fant attended La Vergne High School in La Vergne, Tennessee. As a sophomore, Fant recorded 14 receptions for 326, while also rushing for 141 yards on nine attempts.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Cecil |date=August 12, 2016 |title=Dandy Dozen: Vols commit Princeton Fant returns after injury |url=https://www.dnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/08/12/dandy-dozen-tennessee-vols-commitment-princeton-fant-lavergne-back-after-missing-year-injury/88488716/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=The Daily News Journal |language=en-US}} During spring practices following his sophomore year, Fant tore his ACL, prematurely ending his junior year of high school football.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Cecil |date=August 6, 2016 |title=Princeton Fant, Deylon Williams anxious to play again |url=https://www.dnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/08/06/princeton-fant-deylon-williams-anxious-play-again/88305468/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=The Daily News Journal |language=en-US}} In addition, Fant would miss the majority of his senior year, undergoing more surgery on his ACL.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Cecil |date=August 25, 2016 |title=Vols commitment Princeton Fant to miss much of La Vergne’s season |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/08/25/vols-commitment-princeton-fant-miss-much-la-vergnes-season/89378340/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} A top recruit from the state of Tennessee, Fant committed to play college football at the University of Tennessee.{{Cite web |last=Kreager |first=Tom |date=June 18, 2016 |title=Vols get 8 commitments in one day, including 3 from Midstate |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/06/18/la-vergnes-princeton-fant-commits-tennessee/86089654/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}

College career

During the 2017 season, Fant would redshirt.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Cecil |date=February 1, 2017 |title=La Vergne's Princeton Fant to be blueshirt with Tennessee |url=https://www.dnj.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/02/01/la-vergnes-princeton-fant-blueshirt-tennessee/97366848/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=The Daily News Journal |language=en-US}} He played sparingly at running back the following season, before switching to the tight end position. During the 2020 season, Fant tallied 12 catches for 103 receiving yards, and one touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Rucker |first=Wes |date=April 7, 2021 |title=Vols' Fant getting daily advice from NFL cousin |url=https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/Article/Tennessee-Vols-Football-Princeton-Fant-getting-daily-advice-from-NFL-cousin-Noah-Fant-163836635/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=GoVols247 |language=en-US}} His first career and lone touchdown of the season came on a six-yard pass from Harrison Bailey against Vanderbilt.{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Evan |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Vols dismantle Commodores, 42-17 |url=https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2020/12/12/22171611/tennessee-volunteers-vols-dismantle-vanderbilt-commodores-35-10-sec-football |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=Rocky Top Talk |language=en}} As a redshirt senior the next season, Fant posted 13 receptions, 149 yards, and one touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Sparks |first=Adam |date=December 21, 2021 |title=Tennessee football tight ends Princeton Fant and Jacob Warren will return in 2022 |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/2021/12/21/tennessee-football-tight-end-princeton-fant-return-2022/8925433002/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} At the season's end, he announced that he would return for a sixth season at Tennessee. In 2022, Fant was accountable for nine total touchdowns, five rushing, three receiving, and one passing.{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Michael |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Princeton Fant, Tennessee TE, reacts to being a Swiss Army Knife for the Vols’ offense |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tennessee-football/princeton-fant-tennessee-te-reacts-to-being-a-swiss-army-knife-for-the-vols-offense/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}} The passing touchdown came on 68-yard pass to Jalin Hyatt on a trick play against UT Martin.{{Cite web |last=Gary |first=Nick |date=October 22, 2022 |title=See Tennessee football TE Princeton Fant throw touchdown pass to Jalin Hyatt in UT Martin game |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2022/10/22/tennessee-football-princeton-fant-touchdown-pass-jalin-hyatt/69582890007/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} At the end of the season, Fant announced that he would enter the 2023 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Patrick |date=January 4, 2023 |title=‘I gave my all for Tennessee’ – Princeton Fant sends farewell message to Vols |url=https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/Article/Princeton-Fant-Tennessee-Vols-Tight-End-Farewell-Message-To-Fans-After-Finishing-Career-202117068/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=GoVols247 |language=en-US}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2" \|Season ! colspan="1" \|Games ! colspan="4" \|Receiving ! colspan="4" \|Rushing
GP !Rec !Yards !Avg !TD !Att !Yards !Avg !TD
colspan="11" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Tennessee Volunteers}}" \|Tennessee Volunteers
2017 \| colspan="11"\| {{abbr\|DNP\|Did not play}}
2018 \|1 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|3 \|7 \|2.3 \|0
2019 \|2 \|2 \|15 \|7.5 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0
2020 \|7 \|12 \|103 \|8.6 \|1 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0
2021 \|10 \|16 \|220 \|13.8 \|1 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0
2022 \|13 \|22 \|241 \|11.0 \|3 \|6 \|17 \|2.8 \|5
[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/princeton-fant-1.html Career] !33 !52 !579 !11.1 !5 !9 !24 !2.7 !5

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan="2" |Season

! colspan="1" |Games

! colspan="4" |Receiving

! colspan="4" |Rushing

!Rec

!Yards

!Avg

!TD

!Att

!Yards

!Avg

!TD

colspan="11" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Tennessee Volunteers}}" |Tennessee Volunteers

2017

| colspan="11"| {{abbr|DNP|Did not play}}

2018

|2.3

2019

|15

|7.5

2020

|12

|103

|8.6

2021

|10

|16

|220

|13.8

2022

|13

|22

|241

|11.0

|17

|2.8

[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/princeton-fant-1.html Career]

!33

!52

!579

!11.1

!24

!2.7

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 1 1/4

| weight = 243

| bench = 19

| arm span = 31

| hand span = 9 3/4

| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Princeton Fant College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1051338&DraftYear=2023 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}

}}

Fant signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Nick |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Cowboys announce 36 roster moves ahead of regular season |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-announce-36-roster-moves-ahead-of-regular-season |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=DallasCowboys.com}}{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Patrik |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Cowboys move two to IR, reveal 2023 practice squad |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-move-two-to-ir-reveal-2023-practice-squad |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=DallasCowboys.com}} Throughout his rookie season, Fant was elevated from the practice squad twice, appearing exclusively on special teams.{{cite web | last=Alper | first=Josh | title=Cowboys elevate TE Princeton Fant for Thursday night | website=NBC Sports | date=2023-11-30 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cowboys-elevate-te-princeton-fant-for-thursday-night | access-date=2024-10-16}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-09 |title=Cowboys elevate tight end Princeton Fant from practice squad |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2023/12/09/cowboys-elevate-tight-end-princeton-fant-from-practice-squad/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Dallas News |language=en}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 15, 2024.{{cite web | last=Ochoa | first=RJ | title=The offseason has begun for the Dallas Cowboys | website=Blogging The Boys | date=2024-01-15 | url=https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2024/1/15/24039377/dallas-cowboys-announce-eight-players-signed-reserve-future-contracts-jalen-cropper-earl-bostick | access-date=2024-10-16}}

Fant was waived by the Cowboys on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=2024 Cowboys Roster: Carl Lawson, Kemon Hall, 4 RBs included in roster trimming|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2024-cowboys-roster-carl-lawson-kemon-hall-4-rbs-included-in-roster-trimming|author=Walker, Patrik|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 27, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Carl Lawson, Dalvin Cook headline list of Dallas Cowboys' practice squad signings|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/carl-lawson-headlines-list-of-dallas-cowboys-practice-squad-signings|author=Walker, Patrik|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=August 28, 2024}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 27.{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2024 |title=Cowboys' Princeton Fant: Signed to active roster |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/cowboys-princeton-fant-signed-to-active-roster/ |access-date=28 November 2024 |website=CBS Sports}}

Personal life

Fant is the cousin of Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant, and he has a daughter named Aaliyah.{{Cite web |last=Dauer |first=Paige |date=November 19, 2022 |title=Tennessee’s Princeton Fant having career year in final season |url=https://www.wvlt.tv/2022/11/19/tennessees-princeton-fant-having-career-year-final-season/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=WVLT |language=en}}

References

External links

[https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/players-roster/princeton-fant/ Dallas Cowboys bio]
[https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/princeton-fant/14942 Tennessee Volunteers bio]

Category:1999 births

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Nashville, Tennessee

Category:American football tight ends

Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players

Category:Dallas Cowboys players