IUFB Pro Day Primer: Cornerback Rashard Fant

Rashard Fant Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)

Rashard Fant fully embodied what it means to be a Hoosier during his college football career in Bloomington. Fant always carried himself with the utmost professionalism on the field and in the classroom. When Fant officially became a member of Indiana football as part of the 2013 recruiting class, the Hoosiers knew they were getting a good one. The multi-sport athlete from Our Lady of Mercy High School just south of Atlanta was one of the best football players in the state of Georgia. 247 Sports rated Fant as the 13th best athlete in his class and one of the top 150 football players in the entire country according to ESPN. An extremely decorated high school career earned Fant his status among fellow football recruits.

Rashard Fant was an all-state, all-region, and all-county selection for three consecutive years in football. He was the starting point guard for all four years of high school at Our Lady of Mercy. He was also a track star – holding the school’s record for the 40-yard dash at 4.37 seconds. All that speed and ball control made Fant the ideal college cornerback. However, in high school, Fant did a little bit of everything. He played running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and special teams. Fant accumulated over 600 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a senior. He also caught five more touchdowns through the air while accumulating over 300 yards on 21 receptions. He had four interceptions and added a pair of kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns. Rashard Fant is a true playmaker.

Weighing in at 160-pounds, Fant used his speed to his advantage as a young high schooler. Standing at just 5-foot-9, it made more sense for Fant to hone in on his cornerback skills. But before it was all said and done, Rashard Fant inked his name as the school leader in career touchdowns with 63 and all-purpose yards. Fant then inked his name to play for Indiana University. He redshirted during his first season in 2013 to get his body into Big Ten shape.

Fant jumped onto the scene as a redshirt freshman and made an impact on defense and special teams. He played in all 12 games and collected 23 tackles, 21 of which were solo tackles. Fant proved that despite his small stature, he was a force to be reckoned with in the open field. He also recorded five pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Those five pass breakups were good enough for second among Big Ten freshman and tied for third best on the team. Fant was poised to contribute even more as a sophomore.

Fant blew the doors off his peers in 2015. He led the Big Ten and finished second in the country with 22 pass breakups. He also made 52 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He started in every game and his first career interception came in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Fant was also named IU defensive player of the week against Penn State. Indiana had much to look forward to with Fant in the secondary as an upperclassman. Consistency and persistence would define Rashard Fant’s Hoosier career.

Along with all Indiana defenders, Fant benefited greatly from the addition of Tom Allen as defensive coordinator. Allen rejuvenated a defense that was known for giving up big plays. Led by Fant in 2016, IU’s defense did a complete 180, going from the bottom of the barrel to top-50.

As a junior, Fant led the Big Ten and again finished second in the country in pass breakups with 17. He was tied for the team lead in interceptions with three. One of which he returned 34 yards for a touchdown. His third interception came in the Foster Farms Bowl. Big time players make big time plays, and Fant always put his stamp on big games. Fant posted 33 tackles and was honored as IU’s Defensive Teammate of the Year. He was voted Second Team All-Big Ten by the media.

Rashard Fant graduated from Indiana University with a degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA). Instead of forgoing his senior season, Fant elected to return to IU and pursue a master’s degree in public affairs. Fant consistently prioritized his education and never let up on his goals off the field. Fant finished his senior year by winning IU’s Ted Whereatt “Senior Academic Excellence” Award and earning an Academic All-Big Ten nomination. Although he was consistently bothered by injury during his final collegiate season, Fant started 11 games and racked up 24 tackles. He had nine pass breakups, one interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Fant was named the IU defensive player of the game against Michigan and the special teams player of the game against Rutgers. He was again named Second Team All-Big Ten.

Rashard Fant finished his career in the Indiana record books. He is IU’s all-time leader in pass breakups with 53. He made 132 tackles to go along with five interceptions. He was usually always responsible for guarding the opposing team’s most dangerous wide receiver. Unfortunately, Fant suffered a tear in his pectoral muscle prior to the NFL Combine, so he could not participate in the event. He is ranked as the 39th best out of 207 cornerbacks according to draftscout.com. Fant possesses small-to-average size for an NFL cornerback. He has been criticized by pro scouts for using his hands too much and racking up too many pass interference penalties. Fant is also projected as a below-average tackler at the next level

Fant can do several things remarkably well, however. He wouldn’t be Indiana’s all-time leader in pass breakups without uncanny instincts. In 2016, quarterbacks had a passer rating of 33.1 when targeting the 5-foot-10, 177-pound cornerback and receivers caught only 38.7 percent of those passes. That stat, via journalgazette.net, is evidence of Fant’s skill. He is an impressive athlete with great speed. Currently, Fant is projected to be a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft. As he rehabs his pectoral injury, Fant should get a fair crack at making pro roster or practice squad.

Rashard Fant will always be remembered by Hoosier fans as a shutdown cornerback and stand-up student-athlete. He helped lead one of the greatest defensive turnarounds college football has ever seen and set the bar high for all future IU cornerbacks. Fant also strengthened Indiana’s recruiting pipeline in the south, particularly in Georgia and Florida. Fant’s place in Hoosier football lore is cemented, and IU fans will be rooting for him to find success at the professional level. Regardless of what happens on the football field moving forward, Rashard Fant has secured himself a successful future.

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