Hampton, Va. – Hampton linebacker Justin Durant was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 16th pick of the second round and the 48th overall in the 2007 National Football League (NFL) Draft, becoming the highest selection in Pirate history. Ironically, he was selected by the same team that drafted former Pirate cornerback Cordell Taylor in the second round of the 1998 draft. Durant’s selection marks the sixth Hampton player drafted since 2000 and the 11th since head coach Joe Taylor took over the program in 1992.
The first player selected from the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), Durant is the only player in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference history to be named Defensive Player of the Year three times. A native of Florence, S.C. where he attended Wilson High School, he was also recognized as an all-american by the Associated Press, The Sports Network, The Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Sheridan Broadcasting Network.
After finishing his career ranking second all-time at Hampton with 339 tackles, including 176 solo stops, Durant was one of three Pirates invited to participate in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game and one of a FCS record five Hampton players invited to the NFL Combine. Now he’ll set his sights on joining former Pirates Jamal Brooks (Rams), Darian Barnes (Jets) and Jerome Mathis (Texans) on an active NFL roster.
Year Round Pick Player Name Team Position
2007 2 16 48 Justin Durant Jaguars LB
2005 4 13 114 Jerome Mathis Texans WR
2004 7 52 253 Isaac Hilton Giants DE
2003 6 13 186 Zuriel Smith Cowboys WR
2002 7 23 234 Gregory Scott Redskins DE
2000 7 16 222 Jason Thomas Chargers G
1999 6 30 199 Antico Dalton Vikings LB
1998 2 27 57 Cordell Taylor Jaguars DB
1996 6 1 168 Hugh Hunter Jets DE
1995 7 25 233 Corey Swinson Dolphins DT
1993 5 2 114 Terrance Warren Seahawks WR
1992 9 7 231 Johnnie Barnes Chargers WR
1988 6 5 142 Carl Painter Lions RB
1986 10 8 257 Ike Readon Chiefs DT
1978 7 23 189 Reggie Doss Rams DE
1968 7 23 188 Anthony Andrews Colts RB
10 24 270 Ed Tomlin Colts RB
1963 19 12 264 Lucien Reeburg Lions T
