The Knoxville native twins have spent their entire collegiate careers playing for Army and will fulfill a military commitment after graduation.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Former Knoxville Central High School football standouts, Liam and Kalib Fortner, are entering their final season at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The Knoxville native twins have spent their entire collegiate careers playing for the Army and will fulfill a military commitment after graduation.
Nick Craney, former Central football head coach, witnessed the Fortner brothers achieve academic and athletic greatness during his 10 years on staff.
“I was the defensive coordinator at Central for their first couple of years, and we won a couple of state championships,” said Craney. “Then I was the head coach there for their senior year and was kind of along the journey as they were getting recruited.”
Liam, a wide receiver, and Kalib, a linebacker, never had a particular division in mind. For their recruiting process, it was more about where they could further their education, play football, and, most importantly, serve the nation. However, the opportunity to play at Army came later in the process.
“They had been to some other schools and were fairly close to telling another school ‘yes’ when Army called,” said Craney. “Army came on late to the scene, and it changed their whole perspective—and they loved it.”
The Fortner brothers also grew up in a military household. Both of their parents served in the Navy, so fitting that mold, Craney said, was in their DNA.
“They are 100% the kind of young men who are going to do a great job leading in the Armed Forces,” said Craney. “That’s something that makes me as a former coach so proud.”
For Craney, getting to see Liam and Kalib’s skills translate to the collegiate level over four years has been exciting to watch.
“Last year’s Army-Navy game, Kalib was the MVP,” he said. “He had like a 50-yard scoop and score. So I texted him after that game saying, ‘Man, of all the things that you can do in sports—the number one rivalry—and you were just the MVP of that game. Like, enjoy it. Soak it in.'”
Craney said it didn’t take long for him to realize how special the twins were in high school. Now, having an opportunity to play football and serve the United States makes it all the more special.
“It’s reassuring for our future,” said Craney. “These quality young men stepping into our world is what we need… I couldn’t be more proud.”
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