Entering the spring before his junior season, LSU receiver Travin Dural is taking it upon himself to lead an otherwise young receiving corp and perhaps become LSU’s next elite wide receiver.
Dural said he is looking to take the next step in his game this season and continue to flourish in offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s offense.
“I want to get better at things I lacked last year, whether it’s route-running, catching contested balls or finishing blocks,” Dural said. “I want to be a complete receiver next year where they can look for me not only on first down, but on some third downs and maybe even some fourth-down plays.”
After being redshirted in 2012, Dural saw limited targets in 2013 as former LSU receivers Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry put up monster numbers as the focus of LSU’s passing attack.
Dural took advantage of more targets in 2014 after the departure of LSU’s leading receivers, putting up 758 yards on 37 receptions and scoring seven touchdowns. In terms of yardage, Dural was the sixth leading receiver in the Southeastern Conference despite inconsistent quarterback play throughout the season.
Dural said his new wide receivers coach Tony Ball stresses repetition and emphasizes good technique.
“It’s a little bit different working with him because he’s more of an aggressive guy,” Dural said. “He’s a guy who tries to get a lot in. He’s really different from the last coach we had, but he’s a really good teacher. We’ll adjust to it.”
Now an upperclassman, Dural looks to be a leader on the field and in the locker room.
“Travin has been a leader to me since I’ve been here,” said sophomore wide receiver Malachi Dupre. “Although I feel we all have to contribute a leadership role, Travin’s a great leader to all of [the receivers] as a group.”
Dupre was one of multiple freshman receivers to see significant playing time in 2014 during their first year in the SEC. Dupre and fellow sophomore receivers Trey Quinn and John Diarse now have a year of big-game experience under their belts.
Looking at a bigger picture, Dural said he wants to continue LSU’s recent tradition of elite wide receivers.
“I think about it all the time,” Dural said. “I worked with Odell Beckham for two years. I watch [former LSU receivers Rueben Randle and Dwayne Bowe] on TV, and I always try to compare myself to those guys so I can shine like they did and separate from everybody else.”
Dural has already made a couple of memorable plays for the Tigers in critical situations during his LSU career.
One was in the last regular-season game of his freshman year in 2013, when he hauled in a 49-yard score from quarterback Anthony Jennings in the final minutes to defeat Arkansas on senior day at Tiger Stadium.
Another big play came on Oct. 11 in Gainesville, Florida. Dural made a one-handed touchdown grab in the corner of the endzone to give LSU a 27-24 lead against Florida with 2:40 left to play during an important conference road game.
Dural made the catch despite being interfered with, and the play came after he converted a third and 25 situation for LSU earlier in the drive. The Tigers went on to win, 30-27.
“[Travin has] always been that leader that talks to all the receivers and gets those guys going,” quarterback Anthony Jennings said. “He already showed people what he can do through his play, and he’s also taking a more vocal leadership role this year.”
You can reach Mario Jerez on Twitter @MJerezIII_TDR.