Texas wide receiver Devin Duvernay may have been the most underrated player in the nation in 2019. Shockingly snubbed from any major postseason awards, Duvernay still found himself at the top of college football statistical rankings.
The former Sachse High School All-America, two-time all-state athlete has not missed a single game in his collegiate career. Duvernay made appearances in all 12 games as a true freshman, primarily on special teams. By the time he was a junior, he started all 14 games at wide receiver.
However, Duvernay’s senior year at Texas was one for the record books. The speedy slot receiver finished the regular season leading the nation in total receptions. Earning All-Big 12 honors and Honorable Mention as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Duvernay caught 103 passes for 1,249 yards and eight touchdowns.
Leading the nation in both receptions and receptions per game, Duvernay also placed fourth in receiving yards. This topped the Big 12 in nearly every major category for receivers, including total catches, catches per game, receiving yards, and receiving yards per game.
The only receiver in Texas history to have more catches or reception yards in a single season was Jordan Shipley in 2009. Earlier this year, Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton listed Duverany as one of the top ten fastest players in college football.
Duvernay has been invited to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine this year, where impressive performances could significantly improve his 2020 NFL Draft stock. Currently, the Longhorn is projected to land in the third or fourth round.
How this outstanding 2019 season wasn’t enough to land Duvernay as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award is mind-boggling. This prestigious honor is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding receiver.