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Gilbert Grad Durbin is a Cyclone Now

AMES, Iowa – Growing up in Gilbert, Ben Durbin always wanted to be a Cyclone. Now he is an Iowa Stater. The former Gilbert first-team all-state linebacker has transferred to Iowa State from Wyoming. He will play this fall on the Cyclone defensive line.

“I wanted to play for the Cyclone Nation,” Durbin said. “I can play in front of my family. This is God’s Country to me and I have always been an Iowa State fan.”

Durbin saw several games at Iowa State as a youth and in particular remembers an Iowa State-Oklahoma game.
“The atmosphere was incredible,” Durbin said. “It was here that I wanted to play.”

His prep credentials were impeccable. Durbin was a two-time first-team all-state honoree and was rated as the top linebacker in the state of Iowa his senior prep season.

One could ask why Durbin wasn’t in a cardinal and gold uniform after graduating at Gilbert. The answer is quite simple, Wyoming was offering a scholarship, Iowa State was not.

“The previous (Iowa State) coaching staff recruited me, but ultimately I did not get an offer.”

Durbin played linebacker during his redshirt season (2008)and his redshirt freshman campaign (2009) for the Cowboys, but did not get on the field. With Wyoming’s move from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3, Durbin moved from linebacker to defensive tackle and established himself as a key member of the D-line in 2010. He played in all 12 games during the season and made 16 tackles, including seven solo stops. He also was credited with 2.0 sacks for 12 yards. Durbin’s top performance was a five-tackle effort against Air Force. He recorded his sacks against Southern Utah and Utah.

Durbin made 28 tackles in 2011, 3.5 of them for opponent losses of 13 yards. He recovered a fumble and forced two fumbles. Durbin also blocked a kick. He started eight games last season at defensive tackle. Durbin’s biggest game was in a win over UNLV in which the interior lineman made four tackles, including two sacks. He was slated as a starter at defensive end in Wyoming’s 2012 spring two-deep.

Durbin emphasizes that he had a good experience at Wyoming in the Cowboy football program. He graduated from Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The fact that he had matriculated eliminated the one-year penalty for transferring and means he will take the Jack Trice Stadium field this fall as a senior for Iowa State while taking graduate classes.

“I was at Wyoming for four years and Laramie is a great place,” Durbin said. “This is not about Wyoming. I talked to my friends and family about it. Iowa State is doing great things under (Iowa State head) coach Paul Rhoads. Coming home is a dream. Believe me, I appreciate this opportunity.”

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