Stamford’s Fortt ready to live dream

Much has changed for UConn senior Omar Fortt since the day he stepped on the college campus.

Fortt only played two years of high school football between Stamford and St. Luke’s, but those two years were enough to get him noticed by the UConn coaching staff.

Fast-forward to present day, Fortt has transformed himself from a part-time football player to one on the top players on the UConn roster, one with professional aspirations.

The UConn football Pro Day took place on Wednesday and was highlighted by potential early round draft pick Travis Jones, but other draft day hopefuls were in attendance in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams and other professional leagues.

Among those standout athletes to showcase their skills was Fortt, an imposing defensive utility knife at 6-foot-1, 241-pounds.

Fortt participated in the combine style event, completing various drills emphasizing speed, agility, strength and routes.

“Definitely nerves were up, but this is something I have been looking forward to my whole life,” Fortt said. “I came out here and performed. I did the best I can in front of all the NFL teams and it was a great experience, something I will cherish forever.”

In four seasons at UConn, Fortt compiled 233 tackles, including 126 solo, one interception, a forced fumble and four fumble recoveries in 42 games.

One of Fortt’s best attributes is his versatility, as he spent time on the field as a linebacker, a safety, and compiled 229 special teams snaps in 2019.

“I started as a corner and ended as an outside linebacker, so I am pretty versatile,” Fortt said. “In the NFL I could see myself as a down safety.”

While attending Stamford High , which is tied for the Connecticut school with the most all-time players in the NFL (11), Fortt only played football one year. He focused on basketball until his junior year, when his brother pushed him to follow in his footsteps.

“My time at Stamford, I only played football there one year,” Fortt said. “My junior year my brother told me I need to get to college and to do what I do best, and that led me back to football.”

Following that season, Fortt went to St. Luke’s. Should Fortt get drafted, he will be the first NFL player from that school.

Fortt’s older brother, Khairi, was a fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2014, so the draft process is somewhat familiar to him.

“All it takes is one,” Omar Fortt said. “I don’t need all 32 teams to love me, but when I get to the NFL, they will know my name.”

While Fortt’s draft aspirations are not a certainty, other opportunities could arise such as undrafted free agency, the USFL, CFL and the XFL.

“I have talked to a couple teams, they usually go through my agent,” Fortt said. “From there they send me assessments or talk to me on the phone. After today I will get a couple numbers and make sure I am texting them as well.”

SHU’S CHESTNUT ALSO EXCELLED

Sacred Heart University senior running back Julius Chestnut from Bowie, Maryland was another standout at the UConn pro day.

“I hear ‘smaller school’ all the time,” Chestnut said. “I’m just breaking barriers…first to ever play in the Hula Bowl from Sacred Heart, first to ever play in the NFLPA Bowl. Based on my performance last year, I got the invite, and I only played (four) games. I’m just thankful to show that I belong.”

Chestnut ran for 717 yards and eight touchdowns while catching eight passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns in four games in 2020.

In 2019, Chestnut ran for 1,495 yards and 11 touchdowns while catching 14 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.

“It doesn’t matter if I get drafted or go undrafted,” Chestnut said. “I feel if I get in a camp, it’s going to be hard to let me go. I’m going to continue to think that way, just because of who I am and what I can bring to the table.”

Chestnut has finished third in voting for the Walter Payton award. He was an FCS and AP 1st Team All-American and was named NEC Offensive player of the year as well as NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018.

I have to show I have the knowledge to play (in the NFL),” Chestnut said. “Football is a game of knowledge and I have that knowledge. I’ve been playing this game for a very long time and every year I’m growing and growing and growing.”