GAMEDAY: Two sides to UNI senior Fort

By Nancy Justis, correspondent

CEDAR FALLS “Yes, ma'am. No, ma'am.”

Sitting down talking with University of Northern Iowa senior linebacker L.J. Fort, it's difficult to wrap your mind around the fact he ranks fourth in the nation in FCS (Football Championship Series) tackles, is second with five forced fumbles, and ranks seventh on UNI's career tackles list with 301.

The preseason All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection also is a candidate for the 2011 Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in FCS.

The 6-foot-1, 232-pound Fort is too polite, too well-spoken and too soft-spoken to be a bull on the football field. But he has recorded at least 10 tackles in each of the Panthers' first 10 games this season.

“He's a laid-back kid off the field but physically tough,” said UNI linebackers coach Jovan DeWitt.

Fort's vernacular perhaps originates from the fact both his mother and father are career military personnel. Both have been to Afghanistan. Born in Missouri, the Forts moved around a lot - to Louisiana, California and then Hawaii - before moving back to Missouri. Hawaii is where A.J. first started playing football.

“Playing with all those huge Samoans, it was either run or get hurt,” he said. “Hawaii was a great environment to be able to spend outside all the time.”

Moving back to Waynesville, Mo., at the age of eight, near the base where his mother still calls headquarters, Fort started playing every sport he could - basketball, football, soccer, track. In middle school he was forced to decide between sports because of the competition seasons. He picked football and basketball, but played baseball in the spring and ran the 200 in track for the sole purpose of gaining speed for football.

At Waynesville High School, he continued with football, basketball and baseball his freshman and sophomore years. He's always played running back and linebacker. Despite being the shortest player on the court, he played center because he could block people out.

“Growing up I loved basketball,” Fort said. “Basketball was my passion. But in the summers you have to kind of dedicate yourself to AAU basketball if you want to have a future. Once I started growing I decided I was more suitable for football.”

With his prep background at running back, Fort said he's been begging UNI Coach Mark Farley “since I've been here to play running back. Just to get a carry here and there.”

Finally on senior night last Saturday, in UNI's 34-21 win over Southern Utah, Fort got his chance. He scored the Panthers' first TD on a one-yard run with 6:43 left in the first quarter. Fort leapt over the pile for another one-yard score with 13 seconds remaining in the third quarter to put the Panthers up 31-21. He had another 10-tackle performance on defense.

Defensive tackle Ben Boothby played fullback the previous week.

“We wanted to add to that a little bit with L.J. this week,” Farley said. “Something a little bit new and different. You've got to have fun with it. He's excited to touch the football. He's a pretty powerful young man and he and Ben had fun. Now everyone wants the football.”

Fort was recruited by several Big 12 teams, Central Michigan, Arkansas State and schools in the Missouri Valley. He didn't become eligible for Division I programs until after he had graduated because of late grades, so many schools didn't want to take a chance on him.

“UNI was undefeated that year,” Fort said. “They beat Iowa State and were number one. When I got up here (for a visit) I saw these guys were big, if not bigger, than the larger schools - like Brandon Keith, James Ruffin, Victor Williams. Huge guys.

“Coming here actually has been the best decision of my life. This community is amazing. Our fans actually clap when the other teams come running out instead of booing.”

Fort said he has a “ton” of mentors. He attends a weekly Bible study group along with many other players.

“They've had a huge impact on my life in terms of faith,” he said of the local couple that runs the group.

He also credits strength and conditioning Coach Jed Smith.

“He's amazing,” Fort said. “He stresses to us what life is really about and leadership. I think the biggest thing he has taught me is leadership because that is something that is never taught in class.”

His motivation is felt deeply.

“Praying for (Jesus) is probably number one,” he said. “Everything I do I want to reflect everything he's done in my life.

“My (four-year-old) daughter. Playing for her future. And I'm motivated to play the game as hard as I can for people who can't. There are so many people out there who aren't as blessed as I am. It wouldn't be fair for me to not go out there and give my all everyday.”

“(Fort) has matured so much over the last three years,” DeWitt said. “It's impressive to watch him take on a leadership role within our team, and not just our defense. He's adopted a more vocal approach that I don't necessarily think was one that he was initially comfortable with.

“To watch the way that L.J. has grown both as a player and person is one of the most rewarding experiences of my career to date.”