FSU hosting 24-offer DB Zech Fort this weekend, Big Ten visits set for this summer
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
BRADENTON, Fla. – The legend of Zech Fort (5-11, 185) continues to expand in the growing town of Bradenton, throughout the state of Florida, and beyond the borders. The 2026 safety for IMG Academy is already holding 24 offers with a long list of elite teams ready to make him part of their future. A half dozen visits have been taken this spring with three big unofficial visits upcoming.
Fort shared the campuses touched this offseason, “I visited Oregon, Colorado, Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon State, and Alabama.”
Three trips are on the calendar with two others in the works.
“I’m visiting Ohio State and Michigan next week,” Fort said. “I am visiting Florida State this weekend. This summer, I am trying to get out to Georgia and Tennessee.”
The enthusiasm to head to Tallahassee comes through in Fort’s words.
“I’m excited to visit Florida State this weekend because it feels like home when I’m there,” Fort shared. “The atmosphere, the football program, everything about FSU intrigues me.”
Family ties to the Buckeye State are helping Ohio State in their recruitment of Fort.
“My dad’s side of the family is from Ohio,” Fort stated. “Whenever I am there, there is a sense of home there. I’m very close with coach (Perry) Eliano (DB) and coach (Tim) Walton (CB). I just like what they are doing with the program. They are known for having great receivers, they are also known for having great DBs. That would be a great place for someone with my skill set to be at.”
Style of play at rival Michigan is attractive to Fort.
“They play smash mouth football, and they have a lot of great safeties,” Fort said. “They produce a lot of great safeties to the NFL; I am interested in that type of school. They are a very violent and physical team, that fits my play style.
“They are also very cerebral. When I was talking with their coaches during my visit out there, they were watching my film telling me what I did right and wrong. I could see how smart their coaches are and how well they know the game of football. That intrigued me a lot.”