Name: Javier Duran
School: Kent State University (Transferred from Tarleton State University)
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6-4
Weight: 285
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
Biggest goal was enhancing my football IQ with seeing different formations and personnel and having a jump on what the offense might run was the biggest for me.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
I’m a hard worker that’s committed to the process, and I’ll do whatever you ask me to do. Everyone of my coaches and teammates know how much work I put in behind the scenes whether that’s in the weight room doing a lot of weight to on the field, getting extra reps after practice. So they all could say the same thing about me and then when I was a Tarleton state I tore my ACL and Meniscus in my forth game of the season the coaches and teammates needed me so I played the rest of the season with a brace because Im willing to put my team before me, then got surgery after the season.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
I’m a really big self critic when watching film. It’s always the little things like how my get off was, did I take that vertical step, how fast did I ID run to pass and working a pass rush transition and not peaking in the backfield. Just things like that that I criticize and try my hardest to correct.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
No other prospect is stronger than me, physically and mentally and I have a work ethic that’s unmatched. I’m versatile and can play in different fronts, three down, 4 down, field front, bear front, I mainly play 3-tech but also can play 5, 2i, and shade if need be, so my ability to be mentally and physically strong with my versatility makes me separate from other prospects.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
I’ve been training since December 4th right when I got back from school, and train Monday to Saturday with Sundays off. I have a phenomenal trainer Collis Span at SPS fitness in Morganville New Jersey. I do 3 double sessions a week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Wednesdays and Fridays are conditioning and Saturday are light workouts, so in total like 9x a week.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
My biggest strengths with be my versatility since I’ve played all over the Dline and in different fronts it’ll be easy to me, my work ethic and ability to learn and be a student of the game and learn as much as I can from the Vets that that can boost my performance.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
That you’re getting someone who has great work ethic, hard working, versatile, and someone’s who’s willing to learn and be a student of the game.