Recruiting: Imhotep OT Durant rides his mean streak
Meet Yasir Durant off the football field, and he comes across as a gentle giant - easygoing, quick with a warm smile, and an amicable manner.
Meet Yasir Durant off the football field, and he comes across as a gentle giant - easygoing, quick with a warm smile, and an amicable manner.
Inside the lines, the 6-foot-6, 339-pound senior offensive lineman for Imhotep Charter presents an entirely different side.
"He's a got a real mean streak when he's out there," Panthers head coach Albie Crosby said. "He can be downright nasty. He takes a no-holds-barred approach."
Durant, a stalwart at right tackle, has played a key role in Imhotep's 5-0 start. The talent-filled squad, 2-0 in Public League Class AAA action and ranked No. 1 in Southeastern by The Inquirer, has outscored foes by 206-36.
Crosby said Durant made a major breakthrough as a run- and pass-blocking force last season. Durant specifically remembers it happening in a Week 4 rout of Friendship Collegiate (D.C.).
"I went up against a defensive end that was pretty highly regarded, and he wasn't able to do anything," Durant said. "That's when I knew I had arrived."
Durant, a second-year starter who lives in Mount Airy, is mulling scholarship offers from Arizona State, Illinois, Monmouth, North Carolina, Rutgers, and Temple.
"The great thing about Yasir is the way he embraces learning," Crosby said. "He takes constructive criticism really well. He's very easy to coach."
In addition to Durant, Imhotep's highly imposing line includes fellow tackle Justin Johnson (6-7, 340), center Brashon McCrae (6-1, 255), guards Johncarlo Valentin (6-5, 340) and Jahmir Johnson (6-5, 275), and Flordia State-bound tight end Naseir Upshur (6-3, 245).
Durant and Valentin paired up on an official visit to Arizona State last month. "It was very nice," Durant said before last Saturday's 46-0 blanking of Public League rival Mastery North. "They seemed genuinely interested in me."
Durant, an erstwhile basketball player, said he worked on "a lot of things" during the offseason. "Footwork, conditioning, and weightlifting," the 17-year-old said. "I also watched a lot of film."
Rutgers coach Kyle Flood was at the Northwest Philly Super Site last Saturday to watch Durant and Imhotep's other Division I prospects play against Mastery North.
"I don't get nervous or anything when coaches are there," Durant said. "I just play my regular game. I'm pretty laid back when it comes to that."
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Offers/Interest
Pat Bartlett, Council Rock North, junior offensive lineman. Interest: Arkansas, Boston College, Michigan State, Penn State, Rutgers, and Temple.
Markquese Bell, Bridgeton, junior wide receiver. Offers: Boston College, Maryland, Michigan, Rutgers, and Temple.
Jair Bolden, Westtown, senior guard. Offers: Boston University, Columbia, Iona, Hofstra, and Rice. Interest: George Washington and Stanford.
Jeremy Jennings, Downingtown East, junior defensive back. Interest: Duke, Rutgers, and Temple.
Xzavier Malone, Plymouth Whitemarsh, senior guard. Offers: Canisius, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Rider. Interest: Central Connecticut, Delaware State, Hampton, and Hofstra.
Mark Webb, Archbishop Wood, junior wide receiver. Offers: North Carolina, Old Dominion, Penn State, Rutgers, Wake Forest, and West Virginia, among others.
- Rick O'Brien
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