Football: Former UConn Defender Omar Fortt Signs With CFL BC Lions
Former UConn Huskies defender Omar Fortt has signed with CFL's BC Lions as a WILL outside linebacker and could play in an overhang safety role as well. Listed at 212-pounds during the college football season, Fortt now looks shredded after bulking up to 220-pounds. During the NFL Draft process, he ran between a 4.59 and 4.62 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.
While those numbers aren't anything to scoff at, Fortt wanted to improve on those numbers to show teams that even with added muscle weight, he's much faster and more athletic than what he tested. Training with Overdrive in Connecticut, he went to the XFL Showcase where he improved his 40-time significantly, running in the 4.4s. At his size and improving his testing numbers, Fortt is ready to make his mark in the CFL.
Coming from a bloodline of football players, Fortt is looking to be the next big-time football star in his family. His brother Khairi played at Penn State and Cal-Berkely and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2014 draft.
One of the stars on the Huskies' defense, Fortt ended his college career with 230 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception and four fumble recoveries. His numbers overall were very solid for a linebacker that has great coverage skills.
Fortt was invited to two minicamps (New York Jets and Miami Dolphins) before ultimately signing with the Lions over the weekend. The CFL is a much different game than the NFL. The field is longer and wider, and instead of having 11 players on the field, the CFL allows for 12 players. Showing off his athletic ability at his size this offseason, Fortt will be a player to keep a close eye on, as he could become a force for the Lions.
