James Durand met the December news that Wisconsin planned to hire Phil Longo as its offensive coordinator with a sense of overwhelming enthusiasm rather than unmitigated dread, even though it meant upending everything he thought he knew about the Badgers.
Durand, a four-star offensive lineman in the 2023 class, committed to Wisconsin seven months earlier — back when the Badgers were the smash-mouth, run-heavy, methodical pro-style team that had defined the program for decades. Longo’s addition figured to shake things up because of his up-tempo Air Raid passing system. Perhaps no position group would be asked to adjust more than the offensive linemen with their wider splits, different blocking schemes and need for better conditioning.
Advertisement
So why was Durand, who would sign with Wisconsin two weeks after word of Longo’s hiring first leaked, so excited for the change? As it turned out, Durand had already been playing in a Longo-modeled system for years, meaning he figured to benefit as much as any player arriving in Wisconsin’s recruiting class.
“The way that I play football is more athletic,” Durand said. “I’m comfortable in the pass pro, but I’m going to be able to get after it in the run game. That is what coach Longo’s offense is, is we need you to be able to protect the pocket, but also we’re going to need you to pull around and be super-fast and get to the second level and make those difficult, athletic blocks.”
Durand’s coach at Basha High School in Chandler, Ariz., was Chris McDonald. He said he grew enamored with Longo’s system when Longo helped Sam Houston become one of the most prolific offenses in the FCS as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2014-16.
Five years ago, McDonald went all in on the Longo method, running his base offense out of 11 personnel — three receivers, one tight end and one running back — with simple Air Raid passing progressions and a run game focused on zone and gap schemes just like Longo used. That approach helped Basha win its first state championship last season.
“I probably steal more stuff from him than anybody else in terms of our offensive playbook,” McDonald said. “I’m sure there’s different things that coach Longo does that they have as part of their offense, but in terms of the base and the foundation, we do a lot of the same stuff. The learning curve won’t be too big for James.”
Durand may end up being one of the most important signees in the class because of his knowledge, athleticism, talent and ability to fill a vital position of need. He is the only incoming freshman scholarship offensive lineman for the Badgers. Wisconsin previously had a commitment from Christopher Terek, but he decommitted amid the coaching transition last season and signed with Notre Dame. The last time Wisconsin signed just one offensive lineman on scholarship was in 2018 with Michael Furtney.
Advertisement
“I’ve got to prove that I deserve to be there and I deserve to be the one and only,” Durand said.
Wisconsin has traditionally signed multiple in-state offensive linemen on scholarship, but the 2023 class was unusually light on top-level talent. Running back Nate White, who signed with the Badgers, was the only in-state prospect to earn a scholarship offer from Wisconsin. The Badgers did manage to bolster their depth this offseason with Cincinnati transfers Jake Renfro and Joe Huber, giving the team 13 scholarship offensive linemen.
GO DEEPER
The No. 1 recruit in Wisconsin stuck with the Badgers. Can he make an instant impact?
While players like Terek, wide receiver Collin Dixon (Illinois) and defensive lineman Roderick Pierce (Michigan) decommitted from Wisconsin and signed with other programs, Durand said he never considered talking to another school during Wisconsin’s coaching transition. For him, it wasn’t about what offense the Badgers ran or who coached it as much as who his teammates would be.
“On the offensive line, you play as a unit,” Durand said. “If you don’t have a relationship with those guys, it doesn’t matter where you are or who you’re playing under, it’s still not going to be a good unit. I think those guys are who I connected with most and guys I could see myself playing next to for my time there. I was just bought in with the culture. I knew no matter what coach came in, the culture was never going to be changed.”
Durand was a four-year starter for Basha at left tackle because he was the team’s best, most athletic lineman, and McDonald wanted Durand to protect the quarterback’s blind side. During Durand’s freshman season, McDonald compared him to former Wisconsin All-American tackle Joe Thomas because of his consistency and ability to physically overwhelm opponents. Durand was a three-time all-state performer and earned an Under Armour Bowl invite after his senior season. He also won the Chandler School District “Eddie Basha Award” as a sophomore, junior and senior. The award is presented to athletes who conduct themselves with high integrity and character.
Advertisement
“Obviously, he’s been blessed physically,” McDonald said. “But I just think the way he approaches life, he’s kind of an old soul, to be honest with you. He’s about showing his value through his actions. I think that’s what kind of separates him. He’s not into attention and all that other stuff. He’s passionate about the game. He’s passionate about being physical and being violent on the field, but he’s a great guy off of it.”
GO DEEPER
How a Navy lacrosse commit earned his chance to play football at Wisconsin
Although Durand played tackle in high school, Wisconsin recruited the 6-foot-5, 268-pound prospect as an interior lineman. He is rated in the 247Sports Composite as the No. 20 interior offensive lineman in 2023 class. Durand said Badgers coaches have described him as a “Swiss Army knife” but that he is likely to begin his college career working with the centers. Durand’s older brother, Jonathon, plays center for Yale and Durand said the two grew up working on snaps in the backyard and before football practices.
Wisconsin used four players at center during spring practice. Renfro began the spring as the No. 1 center but suffered a stress fracture in his left foot during the fourth practice. Left guard Tanor Bortolini then slid over to center. Huber also earned some first-team reps, with Dylan Barrett working as a reserve.
Durand was in Madison during the first week of spring practice as well as for the team’s public scrimmage. He said he sat in on meetings and that, when players weren’t at the facility, he had time to learn the playbook with coaches. Wisconsin has a room full of talented linemen, and Durand is eager to see how he fits into the puzzle.
“He’s the whole package,” McDonald said. “Wisconsin guys are going to be really impressed with him.”
(Photo courtesy of James Durand)
