Fort emerges as serious contender at tight end
Austin Fort admits there are times he can’t help but look at the big picture. It’s hard to believe, really. “I pinch myself all the time,” Fort said.
Four years ago, Fort transferred from Wyoming to Chabot (Calif.) Community College in a last-ditch effort to keep playing quarterback. But Fort returned to Laramie the following season to walk on and re-earn his scholarship at tight end.
“My priorities were screwed up,” he said. “Why did I want to play a position this bad that I’m going to change my whole career path?”
On Friday, Fort starred at his new role in the Broncos’ eighth training camp practice. The undrafted rookie tight end played on 30 percent of the team’s 11-on-11 scrimmage snaps (23of-75) with four receptions and one touchdown from backup quarterback Kevin Hogan. Fort lined up in the backfield, split at tight and out at wide receiver with the first, second and third offensive personnel groupings.
In the injury absence of tight ends Jake Butt (ACL) and Bug Howard (ankle), Fort has emerged as a surprise candidate to solidify a roster spot; just so long as his playmaking extends to game settings. Fort gets his first chance Saturday when Denver hosts an open practice at Broncos Stadium.
“Hopefully, there are 50,000 people there Saturday to give (Fort) a little taste of a big environment, and the Hall of Fame game and the other preseason games,” coach Vic Fangio said. “He’s been doing well. Now he’s got to bring it. The practice fields are the quizzes. The games are the final exam. He’s been doing OK in the quizzes. Let’s see if he can carry it over.”
Few NFL scouts were buzzing about Fort prior to this offseason. The 6-foot-4, 244-pound prospect was limited to 17 games over his final two college seasons because of a pair of knee injuries. Fort averaged 13 yards per reception at Wyoming but managed only 17 career catches for 221 yards and four touchdowns. He needed eye-popping pro day numbers to get noticed. Loren Landow was happy to help.