Durfee Is Ready to Make His Long-Awaited UW Debut When Called On
NEW ORLEANS — On Sugar Bowl media day, event organizers bussed writers and broadcasters to the Superdome, where a hierarchy of tables were set up for Texas and Washington players in the middle of the football field.
In separate sessions on Saturday, the so-called Husky headliners sat on elevated platforms with big billboard signs indicating who they were.
Other UW starters occupied small, ground-level tables with a simple placard identifying each player.
The rest of the team members, such as the reserves, the freshmen and the walk-ons, were relegated to benches and chairs set off to the side where they could watch their teammates get quizzed by the different media types, look at their phones or catch a nap.
In that latter group was sophomore edge rusher Zach Durfee, the Sioux Falls transfer who hasn't played for the UW yet because of NCAA rules that have been since changed. Yet he's expected to make his Husky debut on Monday night against the Longhorns in this cavernous building and was a sought-after Saturday interview because of that.
His coaches and teammates repeatedly have kidded or reminded the 6-foot-5, 250-pound sophomore from Dawson, Minnesota, about becoming this somewhat mythical figure in the eyes of the fans before even getting on the field.
While others might be embarrassed by all of the early and sometimes misplaced attention, Durfee seems to thrive on it.
"It's cool," he said in a deep voice. "I appreciate all the support. It just gives me another reason to go prove it."
As he chatted with Seattle-area media members, Durfee had a full head of bushy hair, a distinct change from spring football practice when he showed up with a crewcut that made him eerily resemble the Gerry Bertier linebacker character in the film "Remember the Titans." He could return to that lean and mean look.
"We got barbers coming today," he said, threatening to lose his locks. "So I might do it again.
Deemed a double transfer, Durfee had to sit out the first 13 games by NCAA mandate and lose a season of eligibility. Then once he cleared three quarters of taking UW classes and achieving residency to become eligible for bowl season, the rule was changed back to welcome players on the field rather than keep them off it.
"Do I feel cheated? Maybe," he said. "I don't think about it anymore."
While still an untested newcomer, people have been eager to see Durfee play after coach Kalen DeBoer described him as "a big guy who can run" and indicated the Midwest import had the potential to be a disruptor in games.
DeBoer and his staff have hinted that Durfee will be used against Texas, but it's not clear to what extent and whether he'll be confined to just special teams.
"I assume I'll play; how much, I don't know," Durfee said. "Whenever my number's called, I'll do my job."
With his talent level enough of a curiosity, the Husky defensive player will have the unique distinction of making his top-level college debut in a huge setting, something likely no other player will do in the CFP semifinals.
"Obviously, it's a big stage, but at the end of the day I just have to do my part," Durfee said. "I don't have to do anything special to win. Like I've got a ton of teammates who I know will do their jobs and I'll grow on them. It's not like I'm going to be the deciding factor. Just do my job, for sure."
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