Ronald Darby

BIOGRAPHY

Ronald Darby was born on January 2, 1994, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. He is a cornerback in the National Football League.

Darby attended Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where he played as many as six different positions on offense, defense, and special teams. Excelling on defense, Darby was part of a Wolverines' secondary that also included Tavon Young, and which registered four shutouts and allowed just 82 points in 2011. 

Darby was a USA Today and Sports Illustrated High School All-American in 2011, and participated in the 2012 Under Armour All-American Game. as a junior, rushed for 1,329 yards and 23 touchdowns, while tallying three interceptions and eight pass breakups on defense.

Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Darby, running a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, was ranked as the No. 2 cornerback prospect in his class, behind only Tracy Howard. He chose Florida State over Notre Dame, Maryland, Clemson and Auburn. Darby won a bronze medal in the 200 m at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics. He also finished fourth in the 100 m. Along with Aldrich Bailey, Najee Glass, and Arman Hall, he ran a World Youth Best in the meet's medley relay.

His personal bests are 6.77 seconds in the 60 meters, 10.41 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.05 seconds in the 200 meters.

As a true freshman at Florida State, Darby was part of a Florida State defense that led the ACC in points allowed (15.1 per game) and yards allowed (253.8). They ranked seventh in the FBS. Although exclusively a back-up to Xavier Rhodes and Nick Waisome, Darby registered 18 tackles and broke up seven passes in 2012, which earned him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Darby was also named Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.

In the 2013 Orange Bowl vs. Northern Illinois, Darby registered four solo tackles and one defended pass. As a sophomore, he played in 14 games with nine starts, including playing in, and winning the 2013 BCS National Championship game. For the season he had 14 tackles and two interceptions. As a junior in 2014, he started all 14 games and recorded 43 tackles. After his junior season, Darby entered the 2015 NFL Draft.

On May 19, 2015, the Buffalo Bills signed Darby to a four-year, $4.56 million contract with $2.17 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.58 million.

Darby made his professional regular-season debut in the Buffalo Bills' season-opener against the Indianapolis Colts, recorded six combined tackles and two pass deflections, and intercepted Andrew Luck for the first pick of his career, as the Bills defeated the Colts, 27–14. On September 27, 2015, he made five combined tackles and a season-high four pass deflections, and intercepted Miami Dolphins' quarterback Ryan Tannehill during a 41–14 victory.

He was named the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. During a Week 9 match-up against the Dolphins, he had a season-high ten solo tackles and deflected a pass in a 33–17 victory. He missed a Week 16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys after suffering a groin injury. Darby finished his rookie season with 68 combined tackles (61 solo), 21 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts, while also being named Pro Football Focus' Defensive Rookie of the Year.

On August 11, 2017, the Bills traded Darby to the Philadelphia Eagles for slot wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a 2018 third-round NFL draft pick. In his first game with the Eagles, Darby injured his ankle in the second quarter and was carted off the field. It was revealed that he dislocated his ankle and was ruled out for 4–6 weeks. He would then make his return in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys in which he achieved his first interception as an Eagle. Darby finished his first season as an Eagle with 34 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 9 passes defended. The Eagles reached Super Bowl LII where they defeated the New England Patriots 41-33. Darby had 4 tackles and 2 passes defended in the game.

Darby entered the 2018 season as a starting cornerback for the Eagles. He started the first nine games before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 10. He was placed on injured reserve on November 17, 2018. He finished the season with 43 tackles, 12 passes defended and one interception. On March 15, 2019, Darby signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract to remain with the Eagles. In 2021, he signed a deal with the Denver Broncos.

Darby joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.