Zane Durant

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Strengths

• Possesses jaw-dropping athletic tools with a 4.66 forty that translates directly to an explosive first step - jumps off the ball like he was shot from a cannon.
• Built-in leverage advantage allows him to get underneath taller offensive linemen's pads, turning what some call a height disadvantage into a weapon when firing off the line.
• Shows flashes of dominant gap penetration, particularly evident in that Northwestern game where he lived in the backfield and wrecked their entire offensive gameplan.
• Natural weight distribution and core strength enable him to anchor against the run much better than his 290-pound frame would suggest on paper.
• Motor runs scalding hot - consistently chases screens, pursues backside runs, and maintains his energy deep into the fourth quarter when others are gassed.
• Versatility to align at multiple techniques gives defensive coordinators chess piece potential - can slide from 1-tech to 3-tech depending on situation and scheme.
• Lateral quickness jumps off the tape, showing unexpected change-of-direction skills when working stunts or countering against reach blocks in zone schemes.
• Displays surprising power at the point of attack, particularly when he converts speed to power and catches guards sitting back on their heels.

Areas to Improve

• Lacks the ideal length for the position, leaving him vulnerable when offensive linemen get their hands on him first and neutralize his initial quickness advantage.
• Hand usage remains inconsistent - flashes violent, well-placed strikes in some reps but gets caught with passive hands too often against more savvy blockers.
• Struggles with anchor consistency when facing dedicated double teams, getting washed out of his gap occasionally against bigger, coordinated combo blocks.
• Pass rush arsenal is still developing - relies heavily on his God-given burst and occasionally stalls out when initial move is countered.
• Takes himself out of plays by getting too deep in the backfield, creating cutback lanes against zone runs rather than maintaining gap discipline.