21   Dechane Durante
	Class: RS Sophomore Hometown: Charlotte, NC High School: Vance Height / Weight: 6-2 / 196 Position: S Experience: 1L

Enters his sophomore season with 57 career tackles, four for loss, and three interceptions to his credit.

2011: Named to the Rivals.com MAC All-Freshman Team. Played in every game and started the last nine (all Huskie wins) at strong safety and contributed on special teams. Ranked seventh on the team in tackles with 57, 34 solo. Tied for the team lead in interceptions with three and his 47 interception return yards led NIU. Broke up four passes and had four tackles for loss. Sealed NIU's GoDaddy.com Bowl victory with a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown against Arkansas State (1-8). Recorded a first quarter interception against Ohio (12-2) in the MAC Championship game and added four tackles. Posted five tackles, including a half sack and a half tackle for loss, versus Eastern Michigan (11-25). Led all Huskie defensive backs with five tackles, one for a loss, against Ball State (11-15). Tied his career-high with nine tackles, seven solo, at Toledo (11-1). Picked off his first career pass and made nine tackles, one for a two-yard loss, at Buffalo (10-22) to win the Defensive Skill Player of the Week Award. Registered six tackles, one for loss, and a pass breakup versus Western Michigan (10-15). Blocked a punt, broke up a pass and made three stops in his first career start versus Kent State (10-8).

2010: Redshirted his first season at NIU.

High School: All-Area selection by the Charlotte Observer and Daily Herald (North Carolina) in 2009. First team I-Meck Conference choice as a senior. Defensive MVP of his high school team as a junior and senior. Two-way player made 59 tackles, 34 solo, forced two fumbles and intercepted four with one returned for a score, as a senior. Caught 32 passes for 582 yards and seven touchdowns at wide receiver and returned 13 punts for 217 yards. Had a 99-yard touchdown catch, the longest in school history. His junior season, recorded 42 tackles, 27 solo, and intercepted four while catching 22 passes for 490 yards and five scores. Also returned eight kickoffs for 180 yards. Totaled 128 tackles and 11 interceptions on defense in three varsity seasons. Caught 66 career passes for 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns. Team qualified for the playoffs his junior and senior years.

Personal: Born Jan. 11, 1992 in Charlotte, N.C. Son of Kimberly Tabor and Darren Durante.

DURANTE'S CAREER GAME HIGHS
Tackles: 9, twice, last at Toledo, 11-1-11