Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Alden Darby, SS, Arizona State

Out of high school I had every team in the PAC recruiting me my JR year. But due to my bad grades a lot of teams didn’t want to take a chance on me. So it wasn’t until my SR year when I called ASU, UofA, Boise State, and left a voice mail on their phone and the next day they all called me back with a full ride scholarship.

I chose ASU because during the process they were the only school that talked only about my academics. Every other school talked about what position I would play and how I would start. But ASU talked about my grades and being successful off the field. So it was a easily choice for me. I knew that ASU cared about me and my life.

My goal was to show teams that I am a baller and that I have ability and traits about myself on and off the field that can’t be coached. And to showcase my leadership and passion for the game.

Yes a lot of scouts have met with me and have been calling. And their all saying the same thing. How they like me and how I would fit there defense really we’ll. just saying good stuff.

What separates me from others is I have skills about myself that can’t be coached. My instincts and knowledge of the game I feel like can’t be coached and that is what separates me. Also my work ethic, leadership, and character.

I like to watch film from both sides of the ball. I don’t just watch it from a defender stand point. I like to get in the film room with the offense as we’ll and talk with them about what they see in coverages and how they try to get open when they see certain coverages. I mainly look for tendencies. For example: What a team likes to do in the red zone, or at the 50 going in, 1st and 10. You know things like that. I look for any tips that players would give me. Anything that’ll help me out.

I’ve played against some of the best around the country. Id have to say the toughest player I played against would have to be Paul Richardson or Marquise Lee. Pick one lol

He’s was a rookie last year and were the same age. But I’ve always said are game is just a like. And that player is Tyrann Mathieu. He’s a guy I’ve watched all throughout college and always told myself we play just a like.

Biggest obstacle I had to overcome in my life was not knowing where I’d be laying my head down at every night growing up. Or where the next meal would come from. It was a struggle for me growing up and the way I got through it. I just always told myself I would be the one to get my family out of this through football.

I honestly feel like I can fit in any system because of my ability to play any position in the defensive back field.

Biggest strength would have to be my instincts.

Biggest weakness would have to be my eyes. They get me in trouble at times.

Hello my name is Alden Darby and I’m the type of player that will not only bring leadership and character to the locker room. But I will be a dynamic playmaker on special teams and defense. You won’t ever have to worry about my work ethic or going 110% because I have a passion and appreciation for this game like no other. You won’t be making a mistake if you brought me to your team.

My role model growing up we’re the people I seen on tv. Growing up in Long Beach and with a family like mine there really is not a positive role model. It was the people I saw being successful on tv. I wanted that life for me and my kids one day.

San Diego Chargers was my favorite team growing up. And Deion Sanders was my favorite player. I loved the way he played the game. The Swag he brought to the field was something I got excited over. And still till this day I try to play like Deion. You can just tell he was having fun out there.

Umm one of the most tragic event that happened in my life was sleeping in hotels my entire freshmen year in high school. That’s was rough. But I never complained or never not had a smile on my face at school. I overcame it by focusing on the field and getting better so I can get 1 step closer to where I am now.

#1- Jesus Christ
#2- Martin Luther King Jr
#3- Abraham Lincoln

My first pay check I’m going to buy a iPad so I can watch film wherever I am !