Overview

Position: DL

College: Penn State

Class: Senior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’1 1/8”

Weight: 290 lbs.

Arm length: 31 7/8”

Hand size: 10 5/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.75 sec.

10-yard split: 1.66 sec.

Vertical jump: 33.5”

Broad jump: 112.0”

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Terrific overall quickness and burst off the ball. Plays with excellent leverage. Great fluidity and quickness to get around blockers at the snap. Too quick for blockers slanting down the line of scrimmage off the ball. Very quick splitting blockers off the ball. Has a knack for splitting blockers in general. Sidesteps opponents at the snap. Outstanding balance absorbing contact as blockers try to hit him from the side while penetrating. Uses a swim move while sliding between blocks. Can destruct blocks slanting towards the edge and tackle in the backfield. Tremendous play recognition. Senses the path of the ball-carrier and positions himself to tackle. Successfully slants down the line of scrimmage and is quick to break down to tackle on a cutback. Exceptional feet and balance in general working between blockers in pursuit towards the edge. Will sink into the ground with blockers trying to kick him out and use strength to shed inside. Hands are very big and powerful at his size. Strong wrestling blockers inside versus the run. Can shed multiple blockers in a row to make a tackle. Very strong upper body for his size to power blockers off him. High effort to get off and through blocks. Fast in pursuit and hustles to tackle towards the sideline. Terrific speed for an interior defensive lineman. Impressive strength and range tackling at his size. Aggressive wrapping up to finish. High effort to get in on tackles. Very disruptive creating interior pressure on the quarterback. Tremendous ability to penetrate between blockers as a rusher. Pairs quick feet with active hands as a rusher. Very quick inside move as a rusher. Great strength and leverage to get underneath opponents and knock them back late on power rushes. Generates push as a rusher to drive opponents back. Outstanding strength to extend and pulldown blockers on the bull rush. Powers interior blockers to the ground as a rusher. Excellent burst looping on stunts. Shows a rip move around the corner. Will hit the quarterback with force. Shows intensity making plays.

 

Weaknesses

Below-average overall size. Driven off the ball when blockers get leverage. Can be better keeping his shoulders square and not turning his back when taking on double teams. Will get halted by bigger blockers if he doesn’t win early as a rusher.

 

NFL comparison

Milton Williams

 

Conclusion

Overall, Durant is a disruptive interior defender with great penetration quickness and highly impressive strength at his size. The ability to play with leverage and split blockers both versus the run and as a rusher should make him a prime target at the top of Round 2 as a three-technique.

 

Big Board ranking: #41 | Positional ranking: #2