George Fant Bio
George Fant (born July 19, 1992) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and basketball for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Across his professional career, Fant has also played for the New York Jets and the Houston Texans, establishing himself as a versatile lineman known for his athletic background and positional flexibility.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 300 pounds, Fant transitioned from a basketball-focused college career to the offensive line with rare speed. His combination of length, footwork, and basketball-honed coordination has allowed him to line up at both tackle spots and as a hybrid tight end. Off the field, he is married to former Western Kentucky women’s basketball player Chastity Gooch, with whom he has four children.
Early Life and Background
George Fant was born on July 19, 1992, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he grew up and attended Warren Central High School. A multi-sport athlete, he lettered and started all four years in basketball, becoming one of the most decorated players in program history. As a junior, he earned second-team All-State honors before elevating his game as a senior, when he shot 62.2 percent from the field, led the team with 75 blocks, and averaged 21.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
His senior campaign earned him first-team All-State recognition, and by the time he graduated, he was Warren Central’s all-time leader in rebounds with 1,039 and the third-leading scorer in school history with 1,805 points. Rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was listed as the 150th best senior in the nation. Although football programs occasionally expressed interest during his high school years, his path to the gridiron would come later, with basketball as his first love.
Path to American Football
Fant took his basketball talents to Western Kentucky University, where he majored in recreation and spent four seasons as a forward for the Hilltoppers. Across his college career, he developed into a conference-level standout, earning All-Sun Belt honors three consecutive years and finishing his senior season in 2014-2015 with averages of 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while recording 12 double-doubles. Even as he starred on the hardwood, friends and coaches repeatedly urged him to consider joining the Western Kentucky football program.
Throughout his first four years on campus, Fant declined every invitation to play football. In spring 2015, he received letters from multiple NFL teams asking if he would be interested in a professional football career, but he disregarded them. The turning point came when he weighed the option of playing basketball overseas in Poland against attempting an unlikely football career. With a wife and child to care for, he chose football and used his fifth year of eligibility to join the Hilltoppers as a tight end. He bulked up from 250 pounds to 296 pounds, leaned on teammates Tyler Higbee and Devin Scott, and studied tape of basketball-to-football convert Jimmy Graham. In his only college football season, Fant appeared in two games, recording one reception for seven yards along with two tackles.
George Fant Career
Early Career (2016)
Fant signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2016, after impressing the team with his athletic ability during Western Kentucky’s pro day. Offensive line coach Tom Cable selected him over another prospect, citing his length and upside. Though listed as a tight end in college, the Seahawks immediately began developing him at offensive tackle, a transition he completed remarkably quickly during training camp.
He won the backup left tackle job behind Bradley Sowell to open the regular season and made his professional debut on October 23, 2016, playing 24 snaps against the Arizona Cardinals. By Week 8, he earned his first career start against the New Orleans Saints, and he ultimately played the final ten consecutive games of the season as Seattle’s starting left tackle. Fant finished his rookie year appearing in 14 games with 10 starts, a remarkable ascent for a player with no prior offensive line experience.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2017-2019)
Fant opened the 2017 preseason as a starting tackle, but a torn ACL in the second preseason game ended his year and sent him to injured reserve on September 2, 2017. He spent the entire season rehabbing, returning in 2018 to a newly defined role. After rookie tight end Will Dissly was injured in a Week 4 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks deployed Fant as a sixth offensive lineman in a hybrid tackle-tight end role, declaring himself an eligible receiver on key plays.
In that role, he helped the 2018 Seahawks achieve the number one ranked rushing offense in the league. On December 10, 2018, against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, he recorded his first career reception, a 9-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson. Fant continued in the hybrid role throughout 2019, while also serving as the primary backup offensive tackle. On December 2, 2019, he helped Seattle rush for a season-high 218 yards in a 37-30 win over the Vikings, reporting as an eligible receiver on 42 plays during that game.
New York Jets Era (2020-2022)
On April 23, 2020, Fant signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the New York Jets, where he was immediately installed as the starting right tackle. He started 13 games at right tackle and two more at left tackle in place of an injured Mekhi Becton during his first season. In 2021, he opened the year as the starting right tackle before shifting to left tackle in Week 2 following Becton’s season-ending injury, a position he held for the rest of the year.
He entered the 2022 season as the Jets’ starting left tackle, but a knee injury sent him to injured reserve on September 27, 2022. After being activated on December 3, he returned to action only to be placed back on injured reserve on January 7, 2023. The recurring injuries limited his availability across his final season in New York.
Houston Texans Era (2023)
On July 28, 2023, Fant signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans, returning to a familiar conference setting. He stepped in as a starter at right tackle and appeared in 13 games during the regular season. His veteran presence and run-blocking helped stabilize a young Texans offensive line.
Seattle Seahawks Second Stint (2024-2025)
Fant returned to the Seattle Seahawks on March 13, 2024, signing a deal to return to the franchise where his career began. He was released on March 4, 2025, after one season, opening the door for a quick free-agency decision later that offseason.
Washington Commanders Era (2025-Present)
Fant signed with the Washington Commanders on August 19, 2025, joining a roster in the midst of an offensive rebuild. He is expected to contribute as a veteran presence along the offensive line, lending positional versatility developed across nearly a decade in the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fant’s basketball background gives him rare footwork and body control for an offensive lineman, particularly in pass protection against speed rushers. His length and reach allow him to redirect edge defenders, while his experience as a hybrid tight end has made him comfortable reporting as an eligible receiver and executing nuanced assignments. Coaches have consistently praised his intelligence, communication, and ability to play multiple positions across the line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Fant’s journey from undrafted tight end to starting left tackle within 20 months stands as one of the more dramatic position conversions in recent NFL history. His first career reception, a 9-yard catch from Russell Wilson in 2018, and his role in Seattle’s 2018 league-leading rushing attack both highlight his offensive impact beyond traditional line play.
George Fant Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
George Fant’s athletic identity is closely tied to Bowling Green, Kentucky, the city where he grew up and built the basketball foundation that launched his professional career.
Personal Life
Fant is married to Chastity Gooch, a former Western Kentucky women’s basketball player, and the couple has four children. His decision to pursue professional football, rather than play basketball overseas, was influenced by his growing family responsibilities.
2025 Season Performance
George Fant’s 2025 campaign began with a March 4 release from the Seattle Seahawks, ending his second stint with the franchise. He spent the spring and early summer as a free agent before signing with the Washington Commanders on August 19, 2025, joining a competitive offensive line room.
As a veteran presence in Washington, Fant is expected to provide depth and positional flexibility at both tackle spots and as an extra blocking tight end in heavier personnel groupings. His familiarity with zone and power schemes makes him a natural fit for the Commanders’ run-game identity.
Looking ahead, Fant’s experience and football IQ position him as a stabilizing influence on a young offensive line, with his performance likely to be measured as much by communication and finishing as by raw snap counts.