Rashard Fant

Classroom

Rashard Fant graduated in Dec. 2016 with a degree in SPEA management and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in public affairs. He was Indiana’s Student-Athlete Advisor Committee representative at the 2016 Big Ten SAAC Conference. Fant serves as a math tutor and mentor for a fourth- and a sixth-grader.

Character

Fant is one of the Hoosiers’ most respected students. In 2016 he was named the team’s Defensive Teammate of the Year, and in 2017 he represented the team at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. He is actively involved in mentor programs to help today’s youth, including IU Doin’ It Right (sexual assault & drug abuse awareness group), Hoosier Hero and iDareU Training Program.

Community

Fant is involved in many activities throughout the community. He volunteered with Read Across America in 2016. In 2015 and 2016, he was a volunteer at Camp Riley, which empowers children with physical disabilities by providing life-changing experiences in a camp environment tailored to their individual needs. Fant was an Excellence Academy Leadership & Life Skills intern in 2016 and a Project Corporate Consulting Services intern in 2017. He has been involved in IU Doin’ It Right (sexual assault & drug abuse awareness group), and he attended the Apple Leadership Conference representing IU in 2016-17.

Fant served the homeless at St. Anthony at the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl and has gotten involved as a Hoosier Hero (mentor). He won the Director’s Award (representing all that IU is and the mindset of 24 Sports, 1 Team) and is active with M.O.V.E. (Men of Valor Excelling – a cultural and racial awareness and support program that Fant helped start). Lastly, he helps feed the homeless at least once a week.

Competition

Fant is the NCAA’s active career leader and IU’s all-time leader with 50 passes defended and 46 pass breakups in 40 games. A second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2016, the Atlanta native topped the Big Ten in PBUs (17, T-2nd nationally) and passes defended (20, 3rd nationally). He also led the Big Ten and finished second nationally with 22 pass breakups in 2015. A season ago, the fifth-year senior shared the team lead with three interceptions (68 yards), including a 34-yard pick-6 at Florida International, and made 33 tackles, 29 solo, and one tackle for loss. Fant tallied four games with multiple pass breakups and has 10 overall in his career. He entered 2017 on five watch lists: Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Senior Bowl, Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and Wuerffel Trophy. He is honored on five preseason first-team All-Big Ten teams. Street & Smith listed Fant as the No. 10 cornerback in the country, while Lindy’s ranked him as the Big Ten’s top cover corner.