The Legend of Chris Durr Jr. Continues to Grow at Wyoming

LARAMIE -- Jovon Bouknight caught 250 passes during his Hall of Fame career at Wyoming.

Only former Biletnikoff Trophy winner, Marcus Harris, finished with more.

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The Denver native, who in late July became an offensive analyst and an assistant wide receivers coach, turned that production into 3,626 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns. The latter two stats are still good enough for third in school history. They have stood for nearly two decades.

Does he see any other Jovon Bouknight's on this current roster?

"Chris Durr, man," he said without hesitation. "He's a true freshman. I didn't come in the spring, but you see those flashes where it's just God-given ability. He's just kind of relying a little bit solely on that natural ability. He's going to make some plays. That guy can play, man."

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There's currently a gag order on the rookie -- coach's orders -- but the public has gotten a small glimpse of what the Chicago product can do.

In the annual spring game, Durr snagged a game-high 12 balls for 121 yards. He made the easy catches and the acrobatic ones. Despite only standing 5-feet, 10-inches, he outdueled two defensive backs that April afternoon and pulled down a reception with just one hand.

In the Cowboys first practice this fall, one that was open to the media, Durr caught a harmless looking crossing route, slipped a tackle and turned a would-be 10-yard gain into a 65-yard dash to the end zone.

Jay Sawvel said after Durr's public audition this spring he needed to add "eight to 10 pounds" to his slim frame over the summer. That, the head coach said, would prove his desire to crack the two-deep and see the field in Year 1.

He added a lot more than that.

The former three-star recruit arrived on campus, weighing just 143 pounds. No, that isn't a misprint. He checked into fall camp at 171.

"He's doing it right," sophomore wideout Justin Stevenson said. "I wish I did what he did. There's some stuff he does that even I learn from. He's taught me a few things about just watching film. He's a player, definitely."

His quarterback agrees.

"He is a player," Evan Svoboda said after the spring game. "He's supposed to be in high school still. For such a young guy to come in and really showcase his abilities, I think it's super impressive. I mean, you saw it today: his catching ability, late hands, his versatility, the juke moves.

"He's a young kid, but he's going to be something truly special."

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Durr claimed Class 5A First Team All-State honors from the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association during his final two prep seasons at Morgan Park. He added the title of First Team All-Public League -- as voted on by coaches and administrators -- after hauling in 68 passes for 1,130 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. He had a long reception of 75 yards. He averaged more than 94 yards an outing.

During his junior campaign, Durr rolled up 1,013 receiving yards on 51 catches. He found the end zone 16 times.

Louisville showed serious interest in the recruiting process.

So did Army, Eastern Michigan, New Mexico State and Penn.

He chose Wyoming. That decision is already paying off.

"If he gets those opportunities -- and he's definitely going to play for us -- I think he's going to be a guy that could easily make a huge impact," Bouknight added.

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players