For Calhoun High football standout Kris Durham, signing his letter of intent to Georgia Wednesday was simply a formality.
As an early graduate already enrolled in Athens, the 6-5, 194-pound receiver has been turning heads the past four weeks with his ability to catch a football.
“No, not really,” Durham replied when asked Wednesday if his being a Bulldog felt more official. “They put us through mat drills today,and that felt pretty official.”
He is one of six Bulldogs who opted to enroll early, a group that is getting to know each other pretty well.
“We had to attend a press conference for Coach Richt today, where we were introduced (as part of the No. 4-ranked signing class in the NCAA),” Durham said. “Four of us are roommates, so we spend a whole lot of time together.”
Besides Durham, that foursome includes highly touted quarterback prospect Matthew Stafford of Texas, Kevin Perez, and John Miller.
“I’m hitting it off real well here,” he said. “Yeah, I was a little homesick at first but that’s gotten better. I’ve had to adjust to the intensity level of everything here and the amount of schoolwork. So far, I guess I’d give myself about a B+ for how I’m doing here.”
Macon Touchdown Club recently named Durham as one of Georgia’s Super Seven preps for excellence in both athletics and academics. That honor is the latest in a long list that includes Class AA All-State Team, Georgia Sportswriters Association State Team, Class AA Defensive Player of the Year, Rome Area Offensive Player of the Year, Rome Area First Team Wide Receiver, Chattanooga Times Free Press All North Georgia Team, and GHSA North All-Star selection.
He caught 55 passes this season for the Class AA runner-up Yellow Jackets with an average of 19.3 yards per reception. He rushed the ball four times for 157 yards, returned nine punts for 87 yards, and returned nine kickoffs for 248 yards and one touchdown.
On defense, Durham recorded 39 tackles and collected seven interceptions.
As a junior, he earned All-Area, All-TriState, and All-State honors as well and he participated on Calhoun’s basketball team, where he averaged 12 points per game and nine rebounds. As a Jacket trackster, Durham excelled in the high jump (6’-6”) and as a sprinter.
Not only did Durham exceed on the playing field, but also in the classroom. He graduated from Calhoun with an A average and was a member of the National Honor Society. He is currently enrolled in Health Sciences at UGA.
He is the son of former Georgia All-SEC track decathlete, Michael Durham, and Janet Durham – both of Calhoun.