7.
Donte Darius has had a long and arduous journey to ISFL stardom. He is about to enter his 5th season with the team that drafted him, the New York Silverbacks. But how exactly did he end up here? Darius was one of the best athletes to ever come out of LSU, as a track and field sensation in high school, he played both offense and defense. When he committed to LSU, he did so listed as an athlete, and his true position would come later on. Darius was slotted in at every defensive position at some point during his LSU career. At cornerback, he was a ballhawk, breaking up passes and forcing turnovers. As a pass rusher, he excelled at beating blocks and getting to the cornerback. Manning the middle, he wrapped up all who dared pass his way. He entered the DSFL as a waiver pickup in Season 37. In 4 games with the Minnesota Grey Ducks, he performed admirably, racking up 27 tackles, a forced fumble, a sack, and a pass breakup. This was enough to get him drafted in the 2nd round of the S38 DSFL draft by the Dallas Birddogs. His Birddogs career was underwhelming at best, putting up just 29 tackles, a TFL, and 3 sacks while starting all 14 games. The Silverbacks valued talent above production though, and made him the 11th overall pick in the S39 ISFL draft. Donte was called up immediately, but you don’t get awards overnight. He struggled his rookie season, but still managed 91 tackles, 3 TFL, a sack, and an interception. Slotted as the inside linebacker on the depth chart, Darius knew that he wasn’t going to have the flashiest stats, but that’s okay. He values team success over individual accolades. The team however, was not successful. They went 6-9-1, which isn’t terrible, but they were far from being considered contenders. In season 40, the team did even worse, finishing an abysmal 4-12. Darius however, found some more success. He notched 107 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 2 sacks. He was starting to get noticed around the league as a playmaking inside linebacker, who in just his 2nd season was putting up top 10 ILB numbers. The Silverbacks improved to 7-9 in Season 41 off the back of a very strong defensive unit. The linebacker corps especially was the heart and soul of the defense, accounting for a large chunk of the defense’s success. Darius enjoyed the best season of his career, with 110 tackles, 2 TFL, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 4 sacks. At this point, Darius was now considered one of the best inside linebackers in the game, and with a great all-around statline, he was rewarded with his first pro bowl nod, as well as being named a 2nd team all-pro. Heading into his 4th season, Darius was determined to build upon the success of yesteryear, and make his way to the first team all-pro. The silverbacks started the year 3-4, with an outside chance at making the playoffs. But New York went on a tear, finishing 11-5 with one of the best point differentials in the league. Darius regressed slightly from the year prior however, putting up just 93 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Not a bad year by any stretch, but just ever so slightly worse than last season. It was enough to get him named to his 2nd pro bowl, but not enough to get him the 1st team all-pro he wanted, nor even getting back to the 2nd team. New York lost in the wildcard round, but the future looks bright in the big apple. With the season on the horizon, Darius hopes to cement his status as a top inside linebacker with a 3rd consecutive pro bowl, and hopefully, his first 1st team all-pro appearance.
Donte Darius has had a long and arduous journey to ISFL stardom. He is about to enter his 5th season with the team that drafted him, the New York Silverbacks. But how exactly did he end up here? Darius was one of the best athletes to ever come out of LSU, as a track and field sensation in high school, he played both offense and defense. When he committed to LSU, he did so listed as an athlete, and his true position would come later on. Darius was slotted in at every defensive position at some point during his LSU career. At cornerback, he was a ballhawk, breaking up passes and forcing turnovers. As a pass rusher, he excelled at beating blocks and getting to the cornerback. Manning the middle, he wrapped up all who dared pass his way. He entered the DSFL as a waiver pickup in Season 37. In 4 games with the Minnesota Grey Ducks, he performed admirably, racking up 27 tackles, a forced fumble, a sack, and a pass breakup. This was enough to get him drafted in the 2nd round of the S38 DSFL draft by the Dallas Birddogs. His Birddogs career was underwhelming at best, putting up just 29 tackles, a TFL, and 3 sacks while starting all 14 games. The Silverbacks valued talent above production though, and made him the 11th overall pick in the S39 ISFL draft. Donte was called up immediately, but you don’t get awards overnight. He struggled his rookie season, but still managed 91 tackles, 3 TFL, a sack, and an interception. Slotted as the inside linebacker on the depth chart, Darius knew that he wasn’t going to have the flashiest stats, but that’s okay. He values team success over individual accolades. The team however, was not successful. They went 6-9-1, which isn’t terrible, but they were far from being considered contenders. In season 40, the team did even worse, finishing an abysmal 4-12. Darius however, found some more success. He notched 107 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 2 sacks. He was starting to get noticed around the league as a playmaking inside linebacker, who in just his 2nd season was putting up top 10 ILB numbers. The Silverbacks improved to 7-9 in Season 41 off the back of a very strong defensive unit. The linebacker corps especially was the heart and soul of the defense, accounting for a large chunk of the defense’s success. Darius enjoyed the best season of his career, with 110 tackles, 2 TFL, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 4 sacks. At this point, Darius was now considered one of the best inside linebackers in the game, and with a great all-around statline, he was rewarded with his first pro bowl nod, as well as being named a 2nd team all-pro. Heading into his 4th season, Darius was determined to build upon the success of yesteryear, and make his way to the first team all-pro. The silverbacks started the year 3-4, with an outside chance at making the playoffs. But New York went on a tear, finishing 11-5 with one of the best point differentials in the league. Darius regressed slightly from the year prior however, putting up just 93 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Not a bad year by any stretch, but just ever so slightly worse than last season. It was enough to get him named to his 2nd pro bowl, but not enough to get him the 1st team all-pro he wanted, nor even getting back to the 2nd team. New York lost in the wildcard round, but the future looks bright in the big apple. With the season on the horizon, Darius hopes to cement his status as a top inside linebacker with a 3rd consecutive pro bowl, and hopefully, his first 1st team all-pro appearance.