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Massachusetts Pirates

Pirates Re-Sign DB Harlan Miller and WR Jovon Durante

January 24, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release


The Massachusetts Pirates have re-signed defensive back Harlan Miller and wide receiver Jovon Durante for the 2023 season. For Miller, who won a championship with the Pirates in 2021, this will be his third season in Massachusetts. Durante excelled as a kick returner last season.

Miller, a former sixth-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, saw action in six games with the Pirates last season making 20.5 tackles with one interception. He also started in the Pirates playoff game vs. the Quad City Steamwheelers and made five tackles and broke up one pass.

In two seasons in Massachusetts, Miller, 6'2" 200 lbs., from Kentwood, LA has played in 19 games making 65 tackles with three for a loss. Miller has six interceptions, recovered two fumbles and defended 16 passes.

In the Pirates 2021 Championship playoff run, Miller starred in the Pirates semi-final win over the Frisco Fighters when he registered six tackles, including one for a loss, and added a seven-yard "pick six" in Massachusetts' 43-22 victory, leading the team to the United Bowl. That season Miller was an All-Indoor Football League First Team defensive selection.

Miller was selected 205th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2016 NFL Draft and over the course of two seasons appeared in seven games, made two starts, and recorded 13 tackles with one interception and a fumble recovery. In 2018 Miller saw the field twice more with the Washington Football Team. In 2020 Miller played in five games with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL.

Miller played collegiately at Southeastern Louisiana University from 2012 through 2015 where he was a two-time FSC All-American. In 2014 he was selected as an Associated Press Third-Team All-American. In his senior season of 2015 he recorded 49 tackles, had 5.5 tackles for a loss and intercepted four passes. In 47 total games Miller had 122 tackles with 8.5 for a loss and 11 interceptions, including one for a touchdown. He also returned 27 punts for 294 yards. Miller was selected for the 2016 Senior Bowl.

Last season, Durante appeared in eight games for the Pirates making 13 receptions for 96 yards and three touchdowns. As a kick returner, the 6'0" 180 lb. native of Miami, FL averaged 18.5 yards per return on 24 kickoffs for 446 yards and one touchdown. His 58-yard kickoff return for a score established a Pirates all-time record as he took it to the house against the San Diego Strike Force at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center in a 60-17 victory. His best day as a returner also took place on Phoenix Field when he returned five kicks for 102 yards in a 43-42 victory over Sioux Falls. He also had two receptions for 22 yards for a total of 124 all-purpose yards for the game. He also had one reception for three yards and returned two kicks for 31 yards in the Pirates quarterfinal playoff game against Quad City.

Durante was in camp with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League in 2020. In 2019 he took part in the NFL Combine and later signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks, going to camps with both teams. He also had a one-day tryout with the Cleveland Browns.

Durante was a four-star recruit coming out of Miramar High School and started his collegiate career at the University of West Virginia where he played in 25 games from 2015 through 2016, making 17 starts. In two seasons Durante caught 59 passes for 709 yards with seven touchdowns. He also returned 15 kickoffs for 332 yards for an average of 22.1 yards per return.

In 2017 Durante did not play as he transferred to Florida Atlantic University. The following season he enjoyed his best season with 65 receptions for 873 yards with five touchdowns in 12 games. He also ran the ball eight times for 39 yards. At seasons' end he was a Conference USA Honorable Mention selection.

Between the two schools Durante amassed 124 receptions for 1,582 yards with 12 touchdowns.

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