CHARLOTTE — Colin Granger was in the middle of his final college basketball season at Coastal Carolina, practicing one day, a game the next, and planning his future playing in Europe when his phone pinged with an Instagram message. It was from then-Seahawks veteran George Fant, asking Granger if he'd be interested in transitioning to football with an eye on the NFL.

It was unexpected for several reasons, including Granger not knowing who Fant was.

"I'm going to be honest, I was like, I don't know about that," Granger laughed, sharing the story on Monday an hour after signing what he called a life-changing contract. "I mean, no, I never heard of him."

But the Instagram account was verified, he Googled the name, and most importantly, the message was intriguing enough to take seriously.

"So, I'm not being played; this is a real guy having the belief that he thinks I can do something like this," Granger said. "Eventually, that sank in, and so I responded, and I said, 'I'm interested,' but that's all I said."

Granger turned his attention back to basketball for the remainder of the season, but Fant stayed in touch. He kept up with Granger and his parents and let them know he felt strongly about the 6-8 basketball center moving to tight end in time to make an NFL team's offseason roster.

"I had an idea of what I was looking for," Fant explained Tuesday after his first protégé had been signed. "From there, I started looking at certain statistics that I thought could translate to football, so I started looking at offensive rebounds, blocked shots…those are things that I think translate over. You got to be a physical player to get offensive rebounds and also understand you know how to use your body.

"So, Colin kind of checked those boxes."

Seven games remained in the Chanticleers' season, and they needed to win them all to make it into March Madness. But it was also time to give Fant an answer if there would be any hope of training in time to join a club.

In the first of those seven games, Granger had 19 points, his second-most of the season, along with six rebounds and a block. But the Chanticleers lost, and their season was effectively over.

Granger had already finished school the year before, graduating from Western Carolina. He was taking a couple of classes to use his final COVID year of eligibility but didn't need the credits. So the day after that loss, he packed up his car and spent two days driving to Fant's home in Bowling Green, Ky.

For the first time since eighth grade, he was about to become a football player.

"He's given me all the resources, all the confidence," Granger praised. "George Fant changed my life."

Colin Granger is first graduate of George Fant's "Academy"

When George Fant was in college at Western Kentucky, the Hilltoppers football coaches practically begged Fant to leave basketball and join their team. Fant was committed to the hardwood for four years and named second-team All-Conference for three consecutive seasons.

After realizing he could have a more stable future in football than basketball, Fant used his last year of eligibility to sign on with the Hilltoppers football team. He spent a year studying to become a tight end from coaches and teammate Tyler Higbee, appearing in 12 games but registering no offensive stats, leaving little to no film.

When Western Kentucky hosted a pro day, scouts came from all over the country to see Higbee up close. But Pat McPherson, then tight ends coach for the Seattle Seahawks, couldn't keep his eyes off Fant. He was so athletic, working out at tight end, offensive line, even defensive line.

McPherson made a few phone calls, and based on that one pro day performance, Fant was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks.

Once in Seattle, he switched to offensive line and was even used as an eligible receiving lineman/tight end hybrid at times. He's now been in the league for eight seasons and counting.

In other words, he knows what is possible when switching from basketball to football and what it takes to impress in a single workout. It's a niche background, one that only those who have lived it can truly understand. Now, on what is likely the back half of a career, Fant wants to pass that knowledge along through a program that, for now, he's just calling The Academy.

"This is a program where we're going to be helping guys who play college basketball transition to football," explained Fant. "I think the coolest thing about this program, this is not just like any guy that can reach out to me and get in the program, but this is hand selected, handpicked. These are guys who I think can really make that transition, and it kind of sucks that I'm not taking every player, but I think that kind of takes away from how exclusive this is and obviously from my background, being able to evaluate these players, I think that kind of will take away from that.

"So, you know, I just wanted to be that kind of program where we hit home runs, and we're not just taking guesses on guys and taking chances. These are guys who I think have the ability and the size and all the abilities and stuff to make the transition. I mean, this whole thing honestly has been moving fast, but our structure and everything is set; we just have to come up with a name, but right now, the most important thing was getting Colin ready for this transition."

Fant moved Granger into his home in early March, embedding the Johns Creek, Ga. native with his family, feeding him, and providing a trainer and an agent, all with the goal of fast-tracking a process that could change Granger's life.

With just a little over three weeks of work — some guys spend three months training for Fant — Granger hosted a private workout to showcase what he can do even as a raw prospect. They honestly weren't sure if anyone would show up but weren't deterred by the possibility, deciding to film the workout and send it to scouts if needed. Reps or scouts from five teams made the trip to Georgia: the Panthers, Vikings, Seahawks, Texans, and Eagles.

The Panthers offensive coaching staff and front office, including McPherson and general manager Dan Morgan, were all part of the crew who first brought Fant into the league. They know the transition is possible and trusted his judgement enough to send a scout. Two days later, they invited him to the building for a visit. He signed a contract before leaving the building.

"This has been a whirlwind," laughed Granger in disbelief. "This has been the craziest month of my entire life. It's a blessing. I credit it all; I mean, I've been closer to God lately. I just think it's completely—I couldn't do this without God. I couldn't do this without George. I couldn't do this without my family. I mean, it's amazing to me. It blows my mind every night. I mean, sometimes I sit there in shock at night."

Granger's work really begins now

The shock will have to wear off quickly because now the real work begins. Granger has the size (6-8, 245 pounds) which makes him enticing, and his athletic ability makes him moldable. He stands out even in a group full of professional athletes, which is why when Panthers defensive line coach Todd Wash walked down the hallway at Bank of America Stadium on Monday and spotted Granger, McPherson quickly jumped in front of his new project and told Wash, "You can't have him!"

Granger could sign right away since he had already spent four seasons in college and did not play football in college, essentially making him a free agent. That also means he'll be able to participate in rookie minicamp but will get a jump start when the offseason program begins April 21.

Of course, he's still playing catch up with those who have played football more recently than middle school.

Granger's now scrambling to find a place to stay, so he can hit the ground running when the program begins.

McPherson and Morgan were clear with Granger, this is going to be a process. The biggest challenge, coaches explained, will be teaching him to bend, literally. Basketball players play up high near the rim, offensive coordinator Brad Idzik explained. As a tight end with a hand in the ground at times, Granger will literally need to squat and bend his back. It's something football players do naturally, but basketball converts have to learn.

Colin Granger began this journey knowing it would be a long road though, and he's ready.

"I mean, I kind of think I found my calling," revealed Granger. "I think I should have been doing this, I love every second of it. I'm 100 percent in. I want to be the best. I'm going to be an NFL tight end. I'm going to play in the NFL, and I know that. I'm going to hold myself to that. I'm going to be good in this league."