SIGNEES&SIGN-ONS FOOTBALL
Logan Bruss (right) and Decoble Durant
Logan Bruss was a finalist for the 2016 Joe Thomas Award, given to the top high school offensive lineman in Wisconsin. He started six games (three at right tackle, three as a blocking tight end) as a redshirt freshman in 2018. Bruss switched positions during 2019 (12 starts at right tackle, one at right guard) and in 2020 (one at right tackle, five at right guard), when he was named third-team All-Big Ten. He was a second-team all-league selection in 2021, starting nine games at right tackle. Bruss missed three games due to neck and shoulder injuries during the season and opted out the team's bowl game to get healthy for the NFL draft.
Decoble Durant led Lamar High School to a South Carolina state title as the team's starting quarterback and free safety his senior year. He attended Palmetto Prep Academy before moving on to South Carolina State. Durant did not play in 2017 but started 10 games the following season (38 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups). He came into his own as a junior, garnering second-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors after compiling a team-high three interceptions and 12 pass breakups (posting 35 stops, four for loss).
The school did not play in the fall of 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns but scheduled four non-conference games in the spring of 2021. Durant started all four contests (eight tackles, one for loss), receiving second-team Associated Press FCS All-American recognition by tying for first in the FCS with 2.2 passes defensed per game, including his four interceptions, which tied for third nationally.
The accolades piled up in 2021, as he was named a first-team AP FCS All-American and the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading SCSU with three interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 12 starts (plus 38 tackles, two for loss with one sack). Past SCSU MEAC Defensive Players of the Year include NFL linebackers Darius Leonard and Joe Thomas and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. -- by Chad Reuter
Linebacker Kyle Van Noy, originally a second-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2014, will suit-up with the Chargers for the 2022-2023 season. LA Chargers
Chargers sign outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy
Kyle Van Noy was originally a second-round selection by the Detroit Lions in 2014, playing two-and-a-half seasons in the Motor City before being traded to the New England Patriots. He appeared in three-straight Super Bowls from the 2016-18 seasons with the Patriots, winning Super Bowls LI and LII over the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams. Van Noy spent the 2020 season with the Miami Dolphins.
In eight NFL seasons with the Lions, Patriots and Dolphins, Van Noy appeared in 111 regular-season games and made 73 starts, totaling 414 tackles (280 solo), 28.5 sacks, 54 quarterback hits and 39 tackles for loss. The Brigham Young product added nine forced fumbles, seven recoveries and three interceptions, including one returned 35 yards for a touchdown. In the postseason, Van Noy has started eight-of-12 games played and recorded 48 tackles (37 solo), 5.5 sacks and forced four fumbles. His three career postseason strip-sacks are tied with Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Von Miller for the most among active NFL players.