Tough, high-motor linebacker who played through serious knee adversity
Pat Durr was a physical, high-intensity middle linebacker for Northwestern whose calling card was toughness and leadership. In the 2003 season, he returned after a devastating 2002 knee injury and quickly reestablished himself as a tone-setter, leading the defense with 91 tackles by midseason and finishing his career with 303 tackles, 20.0 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks. He stands out less for flash than for reliability, grit, and a captain’s mentality—exactly the kind of glue player coaches love if your defense needs a smart, fearless quarterback in the middle.
