Princeton Fant Bio
Princeton De’leon Fant is an American professional football tight end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 235 pounds, Fant has built his career on versatility, special teams value, and persistence through repeated injury setbacks. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers before joining Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Princeton De’leon Fant was born on March 11, 1999, in Nashville, Tennessee, and grew up in nearby La Vergne, a city in Rutherford County. He attended La Vergne High School, where he developed into a multi-purpose offensive player capable of contributing as both a receiver and a runner. Coming out of high school, he was regarded as a top recruit from the state of Tennessee, drawing attention from college programs across the Southeast.
Despite that promise, Fant’s high school career was interrupted by a series of significant injuries. As a sophomore, he recorded 14 receptions for 326 yards while also rushing for 141 yards on nine carries, showing his dual-threat ability. During spring practices following that sophomore year, Fant tore his ACL, prematurely ending what would have been his junior season. He later underwent additional surgery on the same knee, causing him to miss the majority of his senior year as well. Those setbacks tested his resolve, but he remained committed to playing at the highest collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Even with the injury history, Fant’s recruitment did not stall. His high school production, combined with his physical tools, kept him on the radar of major programs. He ultimately committed to play college football at the University of Tennessee, choosing to stay in his home state and represent the Tennessee Volunteers.
Fant arrived in Knoxville in 2017 and immediately began the long process of building a collegiate career. He spent his first year as a redshirt, preserving a season of eligibility while adjusting to the speed and complexity of Southeastern Conference football. The patience shown by both the staff and Fant himself became a defining feature of his developmental years.
Princeton Fant Career
Early Career at Tennessee (2018–2020)
After redshirting in 2017, Fant moved into the Tennessee rotation in 2018, though he saw limited action and was used sparingly, primarily out of the backfield. Coaches eventually asked him to transition from running back to tight end, a position change that would ultimately define his professional prospects and add pass-catching duties to his running-game skill set.
By 2020, Fant had grown into a steady contributor at tight end. He recorded 12 catches for 103 receiving yards and one touchdown during the season. His first career collegiate touchdown came on a six-yard pass from quarterback Harrison Bailey against Vanderbilt, a moment that signaled his arrival as a reliable short-area target.
Senior Seasons and College Breakthrough (2021–2022)
As a redshirt senior in 2021, Fant posted 13 receptions for 149 yards and one touchdown, showing consistency as a possession tight end. At the end of that season, he announced he would return to Tennessee for a sixth year, a decision that paid off with his most productive collegiate campaign.
In 2022, Fant was accountable for nine total touchdowns, including five rushing, three receiving, and one passing. The passing touchdown came on a 68-yard strike to Jalin Hyatt on a trick play against UT Martin, a highlight that demonstrated his football intelligence and willingness to embrace gadget-style roles. Following the season, Fant announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2023–Present)
Princeton De’leon Fant signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, beginning his professional career in the NFC East. He was waived on August 29, 2023, as the team trimmed its roster, but quickly returned when he was signed to the practice squad. Throughout his rookie season, Fant was elevated from the practice squad twice, appearing exclusively on special teams while continuing to develop his overall game.
He signed a reserve/future contract with Dallas on January 15, 2024, securing his place with the organization into the following league year. Fant was waived again on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad, before being promoted to the active roster on November 27, 2024. On August 26, 2025, he was waived as part of final roster cuts and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On March 13, 2026, Fant re-signed with the Cowboys, continuing his tenure with the franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fant’s professional profile is shaped by his positional flexibility and his work on special teams. His experience as a college running back gives him open-field quickness uncommon for a 235-pound tight end, and his comfort catching the ball out of the backfield translates to a tight end role. Coaches have valued his willingness to embrace the unglamorous elements of the position, including blocking, in-line work, and core special teams snaps.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Fant’s career came in 2022, when he tallied nine total touchdowns for Tennessee, including a memorable 68-yard passing touchdown to Jalin Hyatt on a trick play. Going undrafted in 2023 and still reaching an active NFL roster stands as another milestone, reflecting the persistence that has carried him through multiple knee surgeries and roster cuts.
Princeton Fant Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Fant comes from a family with clear football ties. He is the cousin of Noah Fant, a tight end who has played in the NFL, including stints with the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints. The connection underscores a household familiarity with the tight end position and the demands of professional football.
Personal Life
Off the field, Fant is a father. He has a daughter named Aaliyah, and he has spoken about the role family plays in his motivation to keep playing. His journey from ACL injuries in high school to an active NFL roster has been closely tied to that support system.
2025 Season Performance
Princeton De’leon Fant’s 2025 season began on a familiar note for an undrafted veteran. He was waived by the Cowboys on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. That quick return reflected both Dallas’s continued interest in his special teams value and Fant’s track record of working his way back onto the active roster.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Fant focused primarily on special teams duties, where his open-field athleticism from his running back background remained an asset. He continued to develop as a blocker in-line and as a depth tight end in offensive packages, with the Cowboys using the practice squad as a developmental base. His familiarity with the team’s scheme and coaching staff positioned him as a reliable call-up option during the season.
Following the 2025 season, Fant re-signed with the Cowboys on March 13, 2026, securing his place in the organization for the next league year. The deal signaled the franchise’s confidence in his trajectory and gave Fant another opportunity to compete for an expanded role on offense, while continuing to contribute on special teams.