After year off, Durante makes impression
MIAMI — Through a month of spring practice, Florida Atlantic receiver Jovon Durante has already earned a nickname.
He has a shown a knack for making big plays. So it’s only natural that’s his moniker.
“Making big plays, that’s my middle name,” Durante said. “In a scrimmage mindset, I’m going to treat that as a game. Even at practice, I’m going to treat that as a game situation. Once I see that ball in the air, I’m going to go get it.”
Durante caught a long touchdown pass from quarterback De’Andre Johnson in Saturday’s scrimmage at Hadley Park in Liberty City. The Owls made the 50-mile trip from Boca Raton in an effort to promote recruiting in Miami-Dade County. Last Saturday they practiced at Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale for the same purpose in Broward County.
It was the second consecutive Durante had a productive scrimmage. A week ago, he also hauled in a long touchdown from Chris Robison.
Coach Lane Kiffin said Durante is the leading candidate to replace Kalib Woods as the big-play receiver. Last year Woods had 24 receptions for 619 yards, an average of 25.8 yards a catch, and four touchdowns, despite missing the first six games of the season.
“He’s probably had the most big plays of any receiver in camp,” Kiffin said. “That’s good to see. Kalib at the end of the season was kind of that guy for us. [Durante’s] arguably our fastest guy.”
A 6-foot, 170-pound junior, Durante sat out last season after transferring from West Virginia. He was a four-star recruit coming out of Miramar High School in 2015 and caught 60 passes for 726 yards in two seasons with the Mountaineers.
Durante cited personal reasons for leaving, mostly due to differences with the coaching staff. FAU was an easy choice because he built a relationship during the recruiting process while Kiffin was at Alabama.
“It was tough,” Durante said. “I never sat out a year of football. Going through the transition of transferring … it was just taking the learning experience and getting used to the system and getting used to a whole new school program.”
The toughest part about last season was being a spectator while the Owls produced the best season in school history. They finished 11-3, capping it with a victory in the Boca Raton Bowl.
All Durante could do was make the most of playing on the scout team.
“I was making it seem like I was out there every Saturday, cheering my teammates on, doing everything that I got to do and really being a good teammate,” Durante said.
He’s used the spring to grow accustomed to yet another new system. Firstyear offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., has been on the job for less than three months since replacing Kendal Briles.
“Coming in getting used to the system, now that I’m actually playing, everything is falling into place,” Durante said. “I feel comfortable. I feel 100 percent. I’m ready to go. I feel like I have the whole offense down. Even though we have some more stuff to dial in, once that gets dialed in, I’Il still be ready to click.”
Durante has put himself in position to start alongside sophomore Willie Wright. Last year, Wright led the Owls with 56 catches for 657 yards and six touchdowns.
“A guy that’s that versatile and has speed like that is definitely a plus,” Johnson said. “Having him and Willie is going to really be tough for [defenses].”