Princeton Fant (knee) carted off Monday

Fant wasn’t projected to be a major contributor to the Cowboys this year, but he was a solid depth tight end with special teams experience. He’s under contract for 2027.

The usual. Grier spent all of 2022 and most of 2024 with the Cowboys practice squad. He’s back to ride again. Joining him on the Dallas practice squad are: LB Justin Barron, WR Jalen Brooks, DT Earnest Brown, G Saahdiq Charles, T Geron Christian, S Alijah Clark, WR Jalen Cropper, RB Malik Davis, TE Rivaldo Fairweather, TE Princeton Fant, CB Kemon Hall, WR Traeshon Holden, LB Buddy Johnson and CB Robert Rochell.

While National Signing Day was probably stressful for any number of prospects -- particularly the uncommitted ones -- Fant could spend the day kicking his feet up and sipping on a non-alcoholic beverage. The 6-foot-3, 207-pounder has been committed to the Volunteers since June. Scout.com fails to rank him in their top 250 prospects -- he lands as the outlet’s No. 61 wideout in the 2017 class -- but offers a very interesting comp which will no doubt pique the ears of the Tennessee faithful. Scout calls Fant (at least in terms of stature, body type and physicality) a Terrell Owens-esque receiver. “He just needs to stay healthy,” they note, “and i[f] he does, he could be a star.” He remains unrefined in areas of the game such as blocking and route-running, but the potential is there for a big career if only Tennessee can unlock it.

“Just how it’s family up there. The way the coaches coach. They show so much love to me and Maliek,” Fant said. “The way the program is run, there’s really not another place like Tennessee.” The “Maliek” that Fant references is safety Maliek Gray, a teammate at Lavergne High and a four-star recruit in his own right. The two aren’t necessarily tied at the hip as to their landing spot, with the 6-foot-3, 207-pound Fant saying, “Whatever happens happens. We might go our separate ways but I’d love to play with Maleik. We play high school together and he’s like my brother.” Gray’s leader in the clubhouse for a commitment at this time is Florida State. Fant is hoping to visit the Seminoles before he makes his decision.

The move seems to be a direct response to last week’s news that RB Trey Coleman would be leaving the program. Won’t be a big deal for Fant, a three-star athlete who worked out as a running back this spring. He moved to tight end in August, and has now returned to the backfield. Fant becomes the fifth scholarship RB for the Vols. He’ll work behind Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan, Madre London and freshman Jeremy Banks.