DURANT — The smasher and the dasher. There’s a difference of about nine inches and 150 pounds separating the two players Durant football sent to the college ranks on National Signing Day Wednesday, but each fits a mold in his own right. Travis Smith, the hulking lineman, and Daryn Alves the diminutive skill player, each a force to be reckoned with on the gridiron.

Smith inked with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college in Miami, and Alves inked with Northeastern State in Tahlequah — a Lone Star Conference North rival for the local Savage Storm.

For Smith, it’s a chance to advance in the classroom and on the field, where he needs some fine-tuning on the ball-side of the line of scrimmage.

“It gets my education paid for, and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Smith, who plans to “Work out everyday, get into the best shape I can and hopefully begin my college career with a good start.”

Durant coach Byron Cordell thinks junior college is the right fit for Smith.

“He was our highest graded lineman on both sides, consistently. He’s going to play offense in college, and I thought he did a great job this year,” said Cordell. “It was the first time he had really played offensive line, he played a little bit his sophomore year, and played none his junior year. He started both ways every game for us. He has a bright future ahead of him at the college.

“(Junior college) will allow him, as he’s kind of raw on the offensive side, to reach his potential and go onto a higher level if things work out. He’s got the potential to play major college football.”

That’s Smith’s ultimate goal.

“It opens an opportunity for me to go and play Division-I football,” said Smith. “It’s a junior college and they’re a pipe line to other schools.”

Alves came to Durant his senior season, already a football star in North Texas. His speed and quickness was immediately apparent, and his toughness would soon be a hard-lesson learned for opponents.

“He lived up to the hype,” said Cordell. “He’s as good as advertised. As good as any player I’ve ever coached. He’s the real deal.”

Alves was courted early by the Riverhawks, and their determination won him over.

“They started recruiting me early in the season, and started talking to me, (assistant) coach (David) Morgan and they just stuck with me, in the offseason and everything,” said Alves. “They showed they wanted me the most. They came to my house and visited with me, and then when I went on a visit I liked it a lot.

“The coaches said, ‘We’re looking for a guy that can make plays,’ and I was like, ‘Okay, I’d like to be that man.’”

Alves started at quarterback for the Lions, and was much more dangerous as a scrambler than a passer.

“I already knew I wasn’t going to play quarterback in college,” said Alves. “Playing slot receiver, kickoff returner and punt return. I like getting the ball, and trying to help my team out, you know or getting a key block. Just do what I can do to help the team.”

Cordell believes Alves can make an immediate impact.

“The thing that sets him apart is his work effort in practice. I think he could be a starter as soon as he walks on campus,” said Cordell, who later in the season played Alves at receiver.

“You get the ball to him in space, there’s not a lot of people at the college level that can tackle him one-on-one.”

Both Durant seniors understand the formula for getting reps in high school and college is very much the same.

“(Coaches) said, ‘If you make plays, then we’ll have you on the field.’,” said Alves.