Zane Durant said earlier this week that he was projected to be selected anywhere in between the third and fifth rounds of this past weekend’s NFL draft.
As he waited at his family’s draft party in Kissimmee, the picks drifted by and it wasn’t until the very last pick of the fifth round when the Buffalo Bills made him the 181st selection.
He wasn’t the only Central Florida player picked in this year’s draft. Texas Tech receiver Reggie Virgil, a product of Mount Dora Christian Academy, was also selected in the fifth round, the No. 143rd pick by the Arizona Cardinals.
Durant had to wait three days to hear his name, but the Penn State preseason All-American defensive tackle said he did not grow frustrated. He knew he was considered a bit undersized at 6-foot-1, 290 pounds, by NFL standards, so he was just awaiting his chance.
Penn State’s Zane Durant, of Lake Nona, awaits destination in NFL draft
“I was just waiting on my time. I had confidence I was going to get picked so it was just a waiting game at that point,” Durant said. “It’s an opportunity. At the end of the day, I wasn’t promised anything and I couldn’t control where I went.
“To have an opportunity to get picked meant a lot to me, so I will take it and run with it.”
He got the phone call from Bills general manager Brandon Beane, as well as coaches, including new head coach Joe Brady.
“It was exciting, finally getting the call from the GM and the coaches,” Durant said. “They talked to me about how much of a player I am and how much I can help them and what my future looks like being a Bill, so it was exciting.”
He’s happy to join such a storied franchise like the Buffalo Bills.
“Man, they’re gonna get everything out of me,” Durant said. “It’s such a prestigious organization and they are always competing for a championship title, the Super Bowl, and that’s the ultimate goal. That’s what I came to do in the NFL, so I’m just ready to give it my all and bring whatever I can bring to this organization.”
Durant got to celebrate his selection around friends and family at a spot in Kissimmee.
“It felt good having everybody I grew up with and the majority of the people that was there when I was coming up through Lake Nona and Plant City, all being there with me during that moment,” Durant said. “It meant a lot to me.”
Now Durant will head back to State College, Pa., to pack up his apartment and make his way to Buffalo.
“It’s feels good. It’s a dream come true,” Durant said. “I’m ready to go. I’m ready to play ball. I’m a hard worker and it’s showed up at every level I played at.
“I might not have all of the measurables and all that stuff, but one thing they can’t deny is my work ethic and what I bring to the table.”
So far, four other Central Florida products have signed undrafted free-agent contracts:
Anthony Dunn Jr., DE, Seminole, Toledo, Kansas City Chiefs
Matthew McDoom, CB, West Orange, Cincinnati, Baltimore Ravens
Bryan Thomas Jr., DT, Foundation Academy, South Carolina, Jacksonville Jaguars