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Princeton Fant says thank you to Tennessee fans before final game with Vols

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•12/30/22•

GrantRamey

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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 15: Tight end Princeton Fant #88 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with offensive lineman Darnell Wright #58 after a big play in the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)

Princeton Fant said goodbye to Tennessee fans with a post on social media on Thursday night, ahead of the redshirt senior tight end ending his six-year career with the Vols against Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Friday in Miami.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Fant, a Nashville native who attended LaVergne High School, accounted for nine total touchdowns and 305 yards during his final season at Tennessee as one of the most versatile options in Josh Heupel’s offense. 

Fant caught 20 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns, rushed six times for 17 yards and five touchdowns as a goal-line fullback and even threw a touchdown pass, a 66-yarder against UT Martin. 

He posted a statement on Twitter on Thursday night thanking Tennessee fans for their nonstop support throughout his career:

“With my time at Tennessee coming to a close, I wanted to take a minute to thank you for everything. Your unwavering support through the highs and the lows has been incredible to witness. There is no fan base more loyal and dedicated than Vol Nation. I’m truly going to miss seeing your energy and passion on fall Saturdays at Neyland Stadium.

“I also want to thank the University of Tennessee, my coaches, the support staff and everyone who has helped me throughout my process during my time at UT. It has been a pleasure to call Knoxville home for the last six years.

“Above all, I want to thank God for providing me with the opportunity to play the game I love so much and everything else that He has blessed me with throughout my life.

“I gave my all for Tennessee and look forward to suiting up in Orange & White one more time with my brothers on Friday night before preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft.“

Up Next: No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Clemson, Orange Bowl, Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

Fant was a three-star prospect in the 2017 recruiting cycle, ranked No. 42 among tight ends and No. 25 in the state of Tennessee. He was the No. 879 overall prospect in the country, picking Tennessee over offers from LSU, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Louisville, among others.

He sat out as a redshirt in 2017, carried three times as a running back in 2018 then moved back to tight end after the 2018 season. He played in eight games in 2019, catching two passes for 15 yards, and played in all 10 games in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, catching 12 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Fant played in all 13 games last season, catching 16 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown, then opted to return to Tennessee this season for a sixth year with the Vols.

He had a career day in October in Tennessee’s 65-24 win over UT Martin on Homecoming at Neyland Stadium, where Fant rushed for two touchdowns and threw a 66-yard touchdown to Jalin Hyatt.

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