Devin Duvernay talks about the secrets to his success and life in the NFL
On the latest video episode of On Texas Football, Inside Texas’ Bobby Burton and Gerry Hamilton get reacquainted with Longhorn Legend Devin Duvernay in an exclusive interview conducted on Monday.
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Duvernay, who is getting ready to begin his fourth season with the Baltimore Ravens, left the 40 Acres after recording the second most catches for the second most yardage ever in a single season by a Texas wide receiver in 2019. He hauled in 106 passes for 1,383 yards and nine touchdowns.
Duvernay’s play increased through his first three years at Texas, with his junior year (41 catches for 546 yards and four TDs) a harbinger for a sterling campaign in 2019.
“Junior year, I played a lot more and that kind of got the ball rolling,” Duvernay said. “Then senior year I took off. But back to the start, I came in and I was a pretty high recruit. Coach (Charlie) Strong was our coach at the time. Things were going pretty well for a freshman. I was playing and catching a few balls here and there. Then we got a coaching change. I wasn’t playing much.”
“I just kept working. You’ve got to keep working, know that your time will come. Just keep putting in the work and eventually your time will come if you’re putting a good product on the practice field or on the game field, they have no choice and they’ve got to look around to see who else they can put out there.”
Duvernay spoke about how former Texas assistant and current UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor was a part of his recruitment.
“He played a role for sure,” Duvernay said. “Him and Coach Strong were big reason why I just felt comfortable and I just felt like it was the place to be. Ultimately, I loved my time at Texas. I enjoyed it, had fun, had a blast, and had a good career.”
Regarding his efforts on the field, Duvernay said there’s no substitute for hard work, and that attitude was a key to his success.
“That’s something I live by – just keep improving, never be satisfied, continue to work,” Duvernay explained. “That’s the mindset I have to this day. Keep pushing. Never be satisfied. Keep working. There’s more to be done. I learned when I got into film study. You learn a ton from film: how defenses are, watch yourself and improve yourself by watching your own film.”
Duvernay has played in 46 games over his three-year NFL career, catching a combined 90 passes for a total of 880 yards and five touchdowns. He also has 204 rushing yards and a score on 23 carries and two kickoff returns for a TD, including one for 103 yards last year against Miami.
Hamilton asked Duvernay, a 10.2-second sprinter in the 100-meterdash while in high school, when he knew he was fast.
“It was a pretty young age,” Duvernay said. “I mean running track and playing football, you know, I was always running past people back when like 5 or 6 years old. In football, no one could catch me, and in track I was winning every race. That’s when I realized I had speed and then, it just kind of carried on.”
Duvernay stays in close contact with some of his Texas teammates and tries to make it back to campus every year for the Spring game. He liked what he saw – and what he’s heard – about the Longhorns heading into this season.
“It definitely seems receiver friendly, and that’s something as a receiver you love to see,” Duvernay said of the Longhorn offense. “Spread the ball around, throw the ball deep, and get your fast guys running.”
Duvernay also spoke about what the Ravens’ plans are for him in the coming season, and how he is trusted with a variety of roles.
“If you’re good at it, why not?” Duvernay said. “I enjoy doing it, and they do a good job of letting me have different options. I love it. I have fun doing it. Whatever I can help the team win.”
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Go check out the video in its entirety for what Duvernay said about this year, the SEC, what makes a great quarterback, a great game versus LSU, and plenty of more great stuff.
