MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Georgia native Nicktroy Fortune verbally committed to play for the WVU football program in the summer of 2018. Months later, Dana Holgorsen’s staff departed for the University of Houston. So Fortune was essentially ‘re-recruited’ to West Virginia the following January by new head coach Neal Brown and defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae.
“The atmosphere caught my attention,” Fortune said. “The fans and how loyal they are, they are very supportive. I committed to one staff with Coach (Doug) Belk and them. That’s when they ended up leaving, at first I did have a second thought. But I always stayed true with it. Coach Brown came and met my mom and dad. They loved them and I loved them too. Coach (Jahmile) Addae, I talked to him too and that’s another reason I was good with the decision. It is working out perfectly fine for me.”
Fortune was one of the many Mountaineers that were pressed into the lineup as a true freshman last season. He matured quickly in the WVU secondary, playing in eleven games and making a pair of starts at cornerback. This fall, Fortune has locked down the starting spot at left cornerback, starting all four games while making thirteen tackles.
“Last year I had two seniors in front of me. I was preparing the right way but I knew I wasn’t going to be the first one starting off the drive. This year knowing that I am starting, I am focusing on being consistent week in and week out. I am staying focused because it is not like last year. Every game I am going in with the first defense.”
While Fortune’s play has been solid in the first month of the season, one play got away from him in last Saturday’s win over Kansas. In the first quarter, Fortune broke on an underthrown pass and appeared to have an interception lined up. It bounced off his hands and right into the waiting arms of KU’s Andrew Parchment for the lone Kansas offensive touchdown. Fortune’s focus quickly turned to his next opportunity to make a play.
“I went up for it. The focus wasn’t on the ball and I was just too excited to get up there and grab it. Things happened but how I bounced back from it is I just think of the next play. I have been through adversity before. Just bounce back, stay on my P’s and Q’s. Coach Addae kept me in the game. I was just good for the next play.”
That adversity pales in comparison to what Fortune endured two months ago. In August, his mother Iliana passed away at the age of 47. Fortune left the team during training camp and later returned to Morgantown in time for the season opener. He says a simple life lesson from his mother has made a lasting impact.
“The one thing my mom always did no matter how hard her life was, she just kept living and living life. Growing up she just told me to always smile. I am just filled with joy every day.
“I found more strength after the whole thing. As the weeks go by week in and week out, there is more strength being built. My mom is there with me. She is pushing me and I think about her everyday. It just keeps me going and keeps me smiling. And it keeps me spreading positive energy.”
Fortune and his WVU teammates will face a unique challenge Saturday at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders will likely feature the fastest tempo of any offense the Mountaineers will see this season. That’s why Fortune quickly pivoted after Saturday’s win to the mental and physical rigors of the next challenge.
“Sunday I went into film. I hit up one of our GA’s asking if the film was up. I wanted to get down on Texas Tech as soon as possible. We came off a good win over Kansas and after Saturday celebrating with the guys, Sunday I was already focused on Texas Tech. I know they are a tempo team. So my biggest emphasis this week is staying in shape. We are going to get a lot of tempo thrown at us in practice to prepare for them.
“With tempo, you are going to have to focus when you are tired. They are going to keep coming.”