Controversial ex-ASU recruit Davon Durant signs with Orlando franchise of Alliance of American Football

azcentral Sports | The Republic | azcentral.com

The Alliance of American Football on Monday announced the signing of its first 100 players to compete in the new professional football league.

Among the 20 players signed to the Orlando franchise is former Arizona State recruit Davon Durant.

Durant was one of the prized recruits in former head coach Todd Graham's 2015 recruiting class. A five-star prospect coming out of Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, Durant enrolled at ASU in January 2015 with the intention of participating in spring practice, but he never got on to the practice field.

Durant was indefinitely suspended following a March 2015 arrest by Tempe police after officers said he got in a physical fight with his girlfriend that left her with a bruise below her left eye and bruising around her neck that was consistent with finger marks.

Tempe police were called to the scene after witnesses reported a man had struck a woman as they sat in a black SUV on the street outside an apartment complex near Apache Boulevard and McAllister Avenue.

More: New ASU football uniforms feature Arizona flag woven in jersey

In May 2015, Durant pleaded guilty to a single count of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor and was sentenced to two years of supervised probation. The aggravated assault allegations he was facing were dismissed following a hearing in Maricopa County Superior Court.

In June 2015, ASU informed Durant he must complete court-ordered domestic-violence counseling before applying for re-admission to the university, a source with knowledge of the situation told azcentral sports.

In July 2015, Graham confirmed that Durant would not return to the program.

"He's done," Graham told SI.com. "We parted ways. He put himself in that position. It's a bad deal, but you've got to have accountability. We don't just talk about character and discipline. We live it. No matter what the legal system does, our standards are high and our guys know that. They know they're going to be held accountable."

Durant later enrolled at Marshall. In 2017, he had 28 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1 1⁄2 sacks and two of forced fumbles. He went undrafted and signed a free-agent deal with the Washington Redskins.

Durant is the cousin of former Arizona Cardinal safety D.J. Swearinger.

Orlando will be coached by Steve Spurrier.

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