After months of speculation, Stamford High School linebacker Khairi Fortt is going to announce this afternoon that he has decided to accept a scholarship offer to Penn State. Fortt, rated as high as the No. 2 prospect in the nation at his position by some services, made his final decision eight days ago, after attending the Penn State-Iowa game, and then informing Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno.
Fortt will disclose his plans at 1:15 during a ceremony in the Stamford gymnasium, part of the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Tour, when he will be officially selected to play in and awarded his jersey for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
The All-American Bowl, which will be broadcast by NBC, will be held on January 9 at noon from the Alamodome.
Fortt will be joining his close friend, Silas Redd, the King running back who this past spring committed to Penn State.
While most people assumed Fortt, who had over 30 offers and had narrowed his choices to Penn State, Georgia and North Carolina, would end up going to the Nittany Lions — he has been to their campus six times dating back to the 8th grade — there is an interesting twist to the story few people know.
Fortt had a great visit when he went to Georgia during the summer. He made an instant connection with coach Mark Richt and his staff, loved the campus and program and the school vaulted Penn State at the time.
Fortt made his official visit to Georgia on the weekend of Sept. 12 and saw the Bulldogs’ 41-37 win over South Carolina. Fortt, who has family in the area, said his mind changed when, on two different occasions, the players who were put in charge of showing him around abandoned him. On one instance, Fortt was left to wander the campus by himself early in the morning.
“Two guys left me,” Fortt said. “I was left at a dorm party with people I didn’t know. Once I was just walking alone in the streets. Georgia is a school in the south, in a top conference, the SEC, the weather is warm, I have a lot of family there and the academics are good. It was all how I connected with the players.”
Fortt came home and had pretty much decided he would commit to the Nittany Lions. He went with his family two weekends ago back to the Penn State campus for one final look, which finalized the process.
I’ll have more later after Fortt officially makes his announcement.
I wonder if USC ever scheduled a meeting for Fortt, what would he decide then? Congrats to Fortt. It’s an amazing program, and I can’t wait to see him at the next level
Comment by WGCHFox — October 5th, 2009 @ 10:21 am
Congrats are in order for the Fortt family. Good choice. Good luck to a hard working kid.
Comment by jjs — October 5th, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
Khairi,
Best of luck at Penn State. Great decision, Stay healthy and we will see you in a couple of weeks….All the best, Coach Stokes and the Trinity Catholic Crusaders.
Comment by Pete Stokes — October 6th, 2009 @ 7:40 am
Great college plus great athlete = success!
Comment by Daniel — October 6th, 2009 @ 8:52 am