Darian Durant

Darian Bernard Durant (born August 19, 1982) is an American former professional Canadian football quarterback.

Durant was signed as a free agent by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2006, and became the club's full-time starting quarterback in 2009.

[7] During his freshman season, Durant was named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Week five times.

[2] As a freshman, Durant split time with Ronald Curry, helping the team to a victory in the 2001 Peach Bowl against Auburn.

During his sophomore season, Durant set the school's single-game record for passing yards with 417 during a victory against Arizona State.

[5] Durant was undrafted in the 2005 NFL draft, but signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens and attended their training camp.

Circa 2004, Durant was on the Ottawa Renegades negotiation list when Eric Tillman was the team's general manager.

On April 9, 2006, the CFL announced that it had suspended the operations of the Renegades while the search for new ownership continued, and that a dispersal draft would be held.

[15] In 2006, General Manager, Roy Shivers, who signed Durant, and Head Coach, Danny Barrett, were in the final year of their tenure with the Roughriders.

Coming out of training camp, the Roughrider quarterback depth chart from 1 to 4 was Joseph, Marcus Crandell, Rocky Butler, and Durant.

The quarterback depth chart was Joseph, Crandell, Durant, and Drew Tate, who spent the season on the practice roster.

The Roughriders defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup 23–19,[16] and Durant was one of the players who gave Austin a Gatorade shower after the game.

Late in the season, Durant, Jyles, and Bishop started and saw significant playing time in three consecutive weeks.

[22] Durant entered the season as the club's starting quarterback, but Miller gave backup Jyles significant playing time as well.

Durant's consistency on the field was one of the reasons he earned the Roughriders' starting quarterback position, along with his ability to run for yards when his pass protection breaks down.

[23] Durant was named the Roughriders nominee for CFL Most Outstanding Player, and was selected a West Division All-Star at quarterback.

[4] Saskatchewan played Calgary in the final game of the regular season, where the winner would take first place in the West Division.

Saskatchewan won the West Final over Calgary 27–17, a game in which Durant threw three touchdowns, and qualified for their second Grey Cup in three years.

In the Grey Cup game, Durant ran for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that put Saskatchewan up 27–11 over Montreal.

[4] Heading into the 2010 season, Durant wanted to cut down on his interceptions, although he tried to be optimistic, "I throw 21 picks last year and I guarantee every guy with better stats than me wishes they were in the Grey Cup.

Berry had coached Anthony Calvillo in Montreal and Kevin Glenn in Winnipeg when they put up career high statistics.

[28] After Game 17 versus the BC Lions, Durant became only the second Roughrider quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season, with the first being Austin.

Late in the fourth quarter, with the Roughriders down by three points, Durant was hit as he threw, and the pass was intercepted by Billy Parker.

After beating Calgary in the Western Final, Durant led the Riders to their fourth Grey Cup championship on their home turf at Mosaic Stadium.

Against Montreal in the Roughriders' seventh game, Durant threw a fourth quarter touchdown to Rob Bagg.

[38] Two weeks later, in the Banjo Bowl, Durant suffered a torn tendon in his right elbow, which required surgery.

At that time, Chamblin and general manager, Brendan Taman were fired, replaced on an interim basis by Dyce and Jeremy O'Day respectively.

[43] Durant rehabbed his Achilles tendon injury, and was the team's starting quarterback in game 1 against the Toronto Argonauts.

Early in the second quarter of the fourth week, Durant left the game after BC defensive linemen Mic'hael Brooks fell into his leg on a passing play.

[46] By the August 20 game in Hamilton, Durant had thrown 323 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, a CFL record.