MORGANTOWN, W.Va.— West Virginia continues mining South Florida for receivers, picking up a 2015 commitment from Miami-Jackson’s Jovon Durante.
Just last month, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Durante tabbed Auburn as the frontrunner following a camp visit to The Plains. But as more offers piled up—including Miami, Alabama, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Marshall—Durante no doubt listened to his high school coach Antonio Brown, himself a former West Virginia wide receiver.
Durante caught 26 passes for more than 600 yards as a sophomore and rushed 16 times for 439 yards—a whopping 27 yards per carry. His highlight tape reveals a speedy, physical athlete capable of contributing as a returner and on special-teams coverage units.
“He’s a really good player,” said Rivals.com senior writer Keenan Cummings of WVSports.com. “He’s faster than most outside wide receivers and can go up and get the football.”
Though Rivals hasn’t unveiled its recruit ratings for 2015, Cummings said Durante is “most likely a high four-star guy at this point.”
Durante becomes WVU’s second 2015 commitment, behind Morgantown High tight end Stone Wolfley.
The Mountaineers also have 2014 pledges from two Miami-area receivers Jacob McCrary and Lamar Parker.