SEATTLE — Zach Durfee’s football journey started at Dawson-Boyd High School. Now, it’s headed to Duval County.
Durfee, a 2020 D-B grad and University of Washington defensive end, was taken in the seventh round with the 233rd overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL Draft on Saturday.
It’s the latest twist in Durfee’s unlikely career.
Zach Durfee
Contributed / National Football League
He played quarterback and wide receiver at D-B. He originally was going to play college basketball at Division III Gustavus Adolphus College but decided to give athletics up and go to North Dakota State University as a student. He went back to football and walked on at Division II University of Sioux Falls where he became an all-conference defensive lineman. He transferred to Washington for the 2023 season.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds, Durfee missed the bulk of the 2023 season after having his eligibility waivers denied. Injuries limited Durfee to six games in 2024 where he recorded 16 tackles (three-and-a-half for loss) and two-and-a-half sacks.
In 2025, Durfee played in 10 games for the 9-4 Huskies. He tallied 37 tackles (five for loss), four sacks and one forced fumble. In the Huskies’ 38-10 win over Boise State in the L.A. Bowl, Durfee had five tackles, one sack and a pass breakup.
He was named UW’s Don James Perseverance Award winner at the team’s postseason banquet.
Now, Durfee joins a Jaguars team that is coming off a 13-4 season and an AFC South Division championship. Jacksonville lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs to Buffalo, 27-24.
Dawson-Boyd grad and Washington defensive end Zach Durfee had 37 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble for the Huskies in 2025.
Contributed / Washington Athletics
Other Minnesota high school alumni who were taken in this weekend’s draft include:
Bryce Lance from Marshall. The North Dakota State wide receiver went in the fourth round (136th overall) to the New Orleans Saints;Emmett Johnson from Holy Angels. The Nebraska running back went in the fifth round (161st overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs;Bobby Jamison-Travis from Minneapolis North. The Auburn defensive tackle went in the sixth round (186th) to the New York Giants; Namdi Obiazor from Eden Prairie. The Texas Christian linebacker went in the sixth round (212th overall) to the New England Patriots;And Deven Eastern of Shakopee. The University of Minnesota defensive tackle went in the seventh round (242nd overall) to the Seattle Seahawks.
Joe Brown is a sports reporter for the West Central Tribune.
He can be reached via email at: jbrown@wctrib.com or his office number: 320-214-4332.