Three things we can count on in life: death, taxes, and OBNUG countdown to warm our hearts. We are almost through the 90's. All we are missing are mood rings, Hammer pants, and Zubaz.
As the summer days are getting officially closer, we have 91 days until Boise State kicks off another season. So with that in mind, let's talk about -- Durrant Miles.
#91, Durrant Miles, Sophomore
Stats:
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 237 lbs
High School: Bingham High School, South Jordan, Utah
How'd he get to the Blue™?
Mr. Durrant chose a path that quite a few Broncos go: on a mission. And that mission sent him to the country of Bolivia. He was a 3-star rated recruit out of high school, according to ESPN. Other offers included Hawaii and Utah State. He chose correctly.
Nickname
"Kevin"
As in Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder. I have been watching a lot of basketball recently. Man, can't wait for football to come back.
Look-a-like
The Durant from Nintendo's Pokémon. You have no idea how long I have been wanting to do this joke.
(Hint: about a month shy of a year.)
Career Highlights
Mr. Miles saw action in 11 games last year for the Broncos. He recorded three tackles, one solo, and two assisted. His biggest highlight was mostly academic. Literally. He was on the Mountain West Conference All-Academic team (which is nothing to sneeze at since it is apparent that Mr. Miles is taking this whole "school" thing seriously).
While his best, or most impactful, highlights are likely yet to come while playing for the Broncos, his highlights from high school are still impressive. As a reminder: Mr. Miles recorded 64 tackles and 10 sacks as a senior. Those state got him first-team all-stats honors from Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune.
2016 Prospectus
Durrant Miles was on third on the depth chart behind second-round NFL draftee Kamalei Correa and redshirt sophomore Jabril Frazier. On the upside: Mr. Correa is no longer at Boise State. Possible downer: redshirt junior Gabriel Perez (who is arguably the heir-apparent to the STUD starting slot and currently the ONLY STUD end listed) is coming back.
So this could go either way for Mr. Miles.
Positives: The End positions are pretty open for anyone who wants to capitalize on their opportunities. For the "normal" end, only redshirt senior Sam McCaskill is returning from the Broncos' three-deep from last year (Tyler Horn and Rondell McNair were the others). So if Miles wants to move to that side, he could very well either start, or split time, with McCaskill. As for the Stud end, Miles' ability to stay healthy could put him in a better position for starting by the season opener (remember: Perez sat out the spring game). Durrant also has reaped benefits of having a year of strength coach Pittman. He has gone from 226 lbs to clocking in at 237 this spring.
Negatives: The End positions are pretty open for anyone who wants to capitalize on their opportunities. Perez being injured last year may not hold him back in taking the STUD position. And Jabril Frazier was ahead of Miles all of last season. Plus Kaleb Hill and Austin Silsby may have something to say about getting the lion's share of playing time.
Mr. Miles should be able to put things together and make a solid run for a starting slot. Or, at least, some major playing time. He did get a chance to play in 11 of the Broncos' games so now it's about adding to that time.
Is he on Twitter?
Couldn't find him on Twitter, but he does use Instagram. And he likes to wear Super Socks.
Sock Tip Tuesday: Put on super socks, live out your passion. @Instagram friend @durrantmiles has the hang of it. pic.twitter.com/63bmQEifj3
— GOLDTOE (@GOLDTOE) April 26, 2016
Completely made up fact
The Miles surname comes from the family's long history of long-distance running. Durrant's ancestors used to help deliver messages, materials, and goods with only their two legs to move them. HIs relatives would run for so long that onlookers could only wonder just how many miles they had put on that day. The association stuck and the Miles name keeps going!