By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

July 17, 2009

There are few key prospects the Nittany Lions would dearly love to land for their 2010 recruiting class.  Without question, one of them is Stamford, Ct., inside linebacker Khairi Fortt

The 6-foot-2 ½ and 226-pound Fortt, an ESPNU 150 Watch List prospect, plays one of the two inside linebacker positions in his team’s 4-4 defense.  Fortt made 118 tackles, forced five fumbles and intercepted two passes during his junior season.

Fortt’s who’s who list of scholarship offers includes Penn State, USC, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Auburn, Michigan, Cal, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Boston College, Rutgers, Syracuse, Connecticut and Duke.

Fortt has visited Penn State, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Maryland, Virginia, Cal and Boston College, just to name a few.  He has been to Penn State multiple times, including last weekend.

“I was there with (Penn State commitment) Silas Redd and Dakota Royer,” Fortt said.  “It went great.  We all had a good time.  I got to see how the student body interacted with the players.  (The students) all acted like we knew them for five years.

“I also met with Coach (Ron) Vanderlinden.  He introduced me to the defensive linemen that would be protecting me if I went to Penn State.”

Fortt leaves today for a weekend visit to Georgia.  After the trip he plans to come up with a half-dozen schools from which he will select his official visits.

“After I visit Georgia I’ll have a top-six,” Fortt said.  “Penn State, North Carolina, Tennessee, USC, Florida, Georgia, Auburn and Michigan, those are pretty much the solid schools.”

Fortt plans to graduate in January and says he will likely take his official visits in December and select a college before Christmas.  Unless something changes, one of Fortt’s trips will be to State College.

“Penn State and North Carolina would be two visits,” Fortt said.  “But I have to go back over things.  We visited 15 or 16 schools.  I have to go back through my notes and pictures.  I visited Penn State and North Carolina recently, so those schools are (fresh) in my mind.”

Fortt does not see himself taking all five official visits.

“I might make three visits,” he said. 

Kurelic’s Comment:  I continue to like the Nittany Lions chances.  Things have gone too well on each of his trips to State College for me to think any school but Penn State is currently at the top of Fortt’s list.