Durand makes NFL debut

Congratulations are in order for Ryan Durand, who was raised in Leominster and educated at St. Bernard’s in Fitchburg, after he made his NFL debut in the Tennessee Titans’ 34-27 win over the Cowboys in Dallas last Sunday.

Durand, a second-year pro, came in as an injury replacement at left guard midway through the fourth quarter. He was then part of the push up front that paved the way for Chris Johnson’s winning, 1-yard touchdown run with 3:28 to play.

The Titans drafted Durand in the seventh round with the 239th overall pick in 2009 after a fine career at Syracuse on the field and in the classroom. A three-year starter and four-time Big East All-Academic selection, he graduated with a degree in exercise science and posted a 3.75 GPA.

Durand spent last season on the Titans’ practice squad before making the 53-man roster this year.

Ryan Durand receives 2009 Soloday Award

'Cuse Awards Celebrates Orange Success

April 19, 2009

Syracuse student-athletes took center stage to celebrate the extraordinary athletic, academic and community service achievements of Syracuse University Athletics in 2008-09. Orange student-athletes, coaches and staff gathered at the Landmark Theater on April 19 for the third annual 'Cuse Awards.

The 2009 Soladay Awards were presented to lacrosse student-athlete Katie Rowan and football student-athlete Ryan Durand. The Soladay award is the highest honor bestowed upon a senior male and female student-athlete. Rowan set single-season school records with 123 points and 57 assists and she has become Syracuse's all-time leader in points, assists and goals. A unanimous 2008 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, Rowan earned the 2008 BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year award and was named the 2008 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player. Durand is a two-time ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American and was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation Draddy Trophy, recognizing the best scholar-athletes in college football. In 2008, Durand and the offensive line were Instrumental in helping running back Curtis Brinkley become the eighth different player in Syracuse history to record 1,000 rushing yards in a season.