Around The "Block" With Future Buckeye DE/LB David Durham (2010 Recruit)

by HD Handshoe
Founder
BlockONation.com



I've been fortunate enough recently to be able to contact and interview several of the Buckeye recruits from the class of 2009.

My good fortune continues as I now bring you my first interview with a member of the Ohio State class of 2010, David Durham, the 6'3 DE/LB from Texas who verbally committed to the Bucks on 2/23/2009.

I'd like to thank David for his time in allowing me to bring this to the BlockONation!

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BlockO:
You verbally committed to Ohio State almost a full year before signing day 2010. What convinced and sold you so quickly about Ohio State and which coach or coaches were directly involved in recruiting you?

DD:
Ohio State football sells itself. It’s a special place to play. The facilities, The Horseshoe, and the players are the best anywhere. It is one of the few programs where the expectations are conference championships and national titles every year.

The relationships with the coaches made a big impact on me. Coach Tressel is someone I can trust and that really cares about his players. He has established strong FCA and community service programs, has a great staff that is stable and consistently wins. I knew I couldn't find a better place than Ohio State to play college football. There's great fan support and academics as well.

Coach Fickell was the coach that recruited me and also the coach that I will be playing for. He is someone that I have a lot of respect for and I look forward to playing for him.


BlockO:
Any idea when you may take an official or unofficial visit to come hang out with the team, check out the facilities and/or take in a game in person?

DD:
I’ll be coming back up to Columbus for the spring game and hopefully I will be able to sit in on a few meetings and practices while I am there. I will also take my official visit for a game if my open week coincides with an OSU home game.


BlockO:
How pumped are you to watch the 2009 Week two Ohio State/USC prime-time game in Columbus?

DD:
I’m excited! It’s going to be a huge game with a lot of big time players. It’s very important because it’s at home and on national TV with championship implications. I think it’s important that we win every game, but especially the ones in Columbus.


BlockO:
Do you have a favorite Buckeye player of all-time?

DD:
Some of my favorite Buckeyes would have to be AJ Hawk and James Laurinaitis. Those guys are playmakers. Guys I try to model my play after would be Bobby Carpenter, Vernon Gholston, and Thaddeus Gibson. They play linebacker and defensive end just like I do. I really liked watching Gibson this year especially the way he gets after the quarterback.


BlockO:
Michigan has been down for the past couple season but Ohio State vs. Michigan is still a fierce rivalry no matter what and 2009 will mark the 106th meeting? Coming from Texas, what is your perspective on this rivalry?

DD:
This rivalry is one of the reasons I am attracted to Ohio State. I’ve watched some games on TV and have also seen the HBO special. Ohio State – Michigan is the biggest rivalry in college football. I want to play in big games and it doesn’t get any bigger than that one.


BlockO:
Who's your favorite NFL team and do you have a current NFL favorite player? How about favorite NFL player of all-time?

DD:
I am originally from Charlotte, so my favorite NFL team has been the Carolina Panthers. Some of my favorite NFL players are Ray Lewis, Sean Merriman, and Brian Urlacher. But my favorite player of all time is Lawrence Taylor. It’s hard to find someone who compares to him at the linebacker position, he’s the best. I try to play like he does.


BlockO:
What's your favorite kind of music and who's your favorite artist/band?

DD:
I like to listen to a lot of rap music. I like a lot of southern artists. My favorites are Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, and T.I.


BlockO:
Do you ever visit any of the online Buckeye message boards or Blogs and if so, have you ever posted comments or do you just read what fans are saying?

DD:
I don’t usually pay attention to the message boards, but a few of my friends have showed me some of the posts by Ohio State fans after I committed and I really appreciate their welcome messages and support.

Sometimes I get on Rivals or Scout just to see how Ohio State is doing in recruiting, or whether we have picked up any new commitments in my class, things like that.


BlockO:
Are you in any YouTube videos that you know of?

DD:
Not that I know of.


BlockO:
Since you're from Texas, I just have to assume you do have family and friends who are Longhorn fans so, how did they react to you choosing OSU?

DD:
Everyone has been very supportive of my decision to attend tOSU. Most of my friends, even though they might be Longhorn or Aggie fans, think it is a pretty big deal for me to be going to Ohio State to play football.


BlockO:
As a H.S. player that was being recruited by Ohio State, were you affected or hesitant at all before you made your decision to commit to OSU after the past three BCS bowl game losses by the Buckeyes although they did play very well vs. Texas as I'm sure you are well aware!

DD:
No, I wasn't hesitant at all. Ohio State plays in a BCS game almost every year. Ohio State is consistently one of the best programs year in and year out in college football and I don’t think one game here or there can affect their reputation in my eyes or anyone else’s for that matter.


BlockO:
Many of the OSU players have persuaded buddies of theirs to follow them to OSU. Are you going to be actively trying to recruit anyone you know either from your H.S. or players you've played against from other schools nearby to come to OSU with you?

DD:
If the coaches want me to, then I’ll be glad to help out!

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In closing, I'd just add that David definitely seems very intelligent and knowledgeable about the Buckeye program and made a very well-informed decision when he chose Ohio State.

He's going to be a very welcome addition to the Buckeyes in 2010 and going forward. I think I speak for the all of the OSU fans when I say welcome aboard and we're all excited to see you in the Scarlet and Gray!

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