2020 WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Ta'Cordian Darden | Western Kentucky | WR/KR

WORLDWIDE RAMS

Ed "Pi Double I" Henderson

Player Bio: Darden prepped at Russellville High School in Russellville KY. At Russellville High he played quarterback, wide receiver, and the safety position. In his senior year he recorded 82 carries for 645 yards, eighth touchdowns, and passed 871 yards on with 10 touchdown passes. He also had 73 receiving yards and one touchdown, and on defense he one pick six of five interceptions earning him the Class 1A - District 1 Player of the Year Award. Darden would walk-on on to Western Kentuck and lived out his dream when he was given a scholarship by the program.​

ACCOLADES
2020 Hula Bowl Participant
2019 Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
2019 Lindy's Pre-Season All C-USA First-Team
2019 Phil Steele's Pre-Season All-C-USA Third-Team
​2019 C-USA Honorable Mention
2018 C-USA Honorable Mention
2018 Phil Steele All-C-USA Second-Team

TA'CORIAN DARDEN
DEFENSIVE BACK

HOMETOWN                      |           CLASS
RUSSELLVILLE, KY             |           SENIOR (RS) 
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DRAFT YR:  2020     COMBINE INVITE: NO




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SCHOOL: WESTERN KENTUCKY              |                    CONFERENCE:  C-USA
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​HEIGHT/WEIGHT:  5-8 1/4" / 187         ARMS: 29 3/4"          HANDS: 9 3/8”       PROJECTED 40-TIME: 4.40        

PRO-DAY RESULTS
BENCH    |    40 YD DASH    |    VERTICAL JUMP    |    BROAD JUMP    |    3 CONE DRILL    |    20 YD SHUTTLE    |   60 YD SHUTTLE
​    15        |           4.34          |           39 1/2”          |            119”          |            6.68            |            4.06               |             N/A

PRO DAY WORKOUT

In the video to the left, Ta'Corian Darden displays his athleticism at his pro-day workout with unbelievable numbers. He has increased his draft stock by his 40-yard times, shuttle runs, and his near 40" vertical leap.

#15 TA'CORIAN DARDEN CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Strengths: He is a functional twitch safety who can potentially play in the slot with excellent elite speed. He has excellent ball skills of a defensive back of his size in this year's draft. He is very fundamental when the ball is thrown in the air, with excellent high-point quickness and locates the ball well. He has good fluid hips that allow him to change direction and control his balance. His superb vertical leaping ability allows him to time his jumps to break up passes of the bigger receivers—an excellent cerebral player who has the skill set to sense out the run or pass. In coverage, he is swift enough and intelligent enough to break back on the play. Against the run, he aggressively comes the downhill fast for run support and WILL lay hat on the best of the players no-regard of their size. Only at 5-foot and eight-inches tall, he uses his size to get up underneath the blocker to make the tackle. Read and reaction skill against the outside run plays or screen passes is unbelievable how he blows up the play.

Weaknesses: He does not have enough strength to take on the more significant and physical running backs and will benefit by putting more muscle on his upper frame. Taking them on in the open field will more than likely wear him down late in the contest. The interior lineman will eat him up if he attempts to shoot through the A-and B gaps because of his small statue. He always scans for the big hit, and seldomly will get out of control. His size will also limit his effectiveness against larger inside receivers who can out muscle him for the ball.

Draft Grade: 6.14

Draft Projection: 5th - UDFA

NFL Comparison: Earl Thomas