Flashes of Potential
While George Fant didn’t have a traditional transition to football and has struggled at times, his flashes of potential and raw athleticism have always been on full display.
Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, agrees that Fant is chomping at the bit with his potential. The athletically gifted Fant has similar measurables to Iowa OL Tristan Wirfs, an athletic freak, who stole the show at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. Wirfs will be in play for the Jets if he gets out of the top-10, which seems rather unlikely. Regardless, Nagy views Fant as more ready to play for obvious reasons.
George Fant is intriguing signing by @nyjets GM Joe Douglas. Fant has unique tools. Comparable to likely top-10 pick in draft and he’s more ready to play.
George Fant
6-5
296 lbs
4.83 40-yd
37.0 VJ
9’11” BJ
22 repsTristan Wirfs
6-5
320 lbs
4.85 40-yd
36.5 VJ
10’1” BJ
24 reps— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 17, 2020
This glorified one-year deal is essentially an audition for Fant to show off his potential. He definitely improved his overall level of play in 2019, to the point where he most likely would have been the Seahawks’ starting right tackle had he been brought back.
Rather than re-signing a known commodity and swing tackle in Kelvin Beachum, the Jets are taking a risk on Fant’s potential, hoping that Frank Pollack can help him elevate his play to the next level.