Stamford High School linebacker Khairi Fortt continued his college tour last weekend with a trip to the University of Tennessee, part of a family vacation that included a trip to the Pigeon Forge Cabins.
Fortt met with UT’s new head coach, Lane Kiffin, who was hired in November after a stint as the Oakland Raiders’ head coach. Fortt also met with Kiffin’s father, Monte, the long-time defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who now is assuming the same position with the Volunteers.
“It was a nice place and I liked the whole environment,” Fortt said. “I met with the staff and really liked them, and the stadium is huge. Monte Kiffin was telling me what it was like to coach Derrick Brooks in Tampa.”
Asked his feelings about UT as a possible landing point, Fortt said, “I’m a little more interested in them. I didn’t know much about them, but it’s the closest SEC school and they play in a top conference. They also don’t have a lot of linebackers.”
Next up for Fortt is a return trip this weekend to the place many believe he will eventually end up: Penn State. Fortt said this is more a social visit and he is going with his close friend, Silas Redd, the King senior who has committed to the Nittany Lions.
Fortt said he hopes to meet with Ron Vanderlinden, the assistant linebackers coach, and Kermit Buggs, the assistant safeties coach, who Fortt said has been Penn State’s point person during the recruiting process.
