Khairi Fortt evaluating options

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No Regrets For Bill O'Brien

Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien talks to Rece Davis about the challenges his team faces following the NCAA sanctions against the program.Tags: Bill O'Brien, Penn State Coach, Penn State Sanctions, Rece Davis, SportsCenter

No Regrets For Bill O'Brien

The father of potential Penn State starter Khairi Fortt told ESPN.com on Thursday his son is evaluating his options.

Fortt, a junior linebacker, is expected to battle for the Nittany Lions' starting middle linebacker spot this fall. His father, Guy Fortt, said his son has had between 30 and 40 schools contact him since the NCAA announced severe sanctions on the program Monday.

"TCU, UConn, Kansas, Washington, Auburn, Baylor, FSU, Vanderbilt and several others told him he has a scholarship at their program," Guy Fortt said. "He is torn, but I think he is doing his due diligence and evaluating his options."

An ESPN 150 recruit and a U.S. Army All-America selection out of high school in Stamford, Conn., Fortt has seen action in 23 games for the Nittany Lions, racking up 50 tackles, including seven for a loss.

"I think Khairi really believes there is a bond up there with those guys, so as a 19- or 20-year-old young man, it is tough to make a change in his life," Guy Fortt said. "They know each other, and they like each other, so it is a difficult decision for all of them."

The Penn State coaches could find out Fortt's decision within a week.

"He has a lot of respect for Bill O'Brien and his coaching staff, but as of right now he really does not know what he is going to do," Guy Fortt said. "He is going to weigh his options this weekend and try to make a decision next week between Monday and Wednesday."

The past couple of days have taken their toll on the student-athletes on the State College campus, as well as their families.

"We went through the recruiting process once, so while this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a change if it is deemed necessary without being penalized, it is still very taxing," Guy Fortt said.

"There have been unfortunate circumstances that the coaching staff, players and victims could not have expected, but now if you even put on Penn State gear, you are questioned for your actions. So it is very exhausting on the entire family. This has just been unbelievable."

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Kipp Adams | email

Reporter, RecruitingNation

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• Reporter for RecruitingNation
• Covers Southeast and Georgia Bulldogs recruiting
• Joined ESPN in 2011