Donovin Darius

Donovin Lee Darius (born August 12, 1975) is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars 25th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, and played for nine seasons with the team. He played for the Miami Dolphins in 2007. He played college football at Syracuse.

College career

Darius played for two years at Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, New Jersey before transferring in his junior year. Darius is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, New Jersey.

Darius played at Syracuse University, setting the team record for tackles by a defensive back with 379. He was a Big East All-Conference player in 1995 and 1996, and also lettered in indoor and outdoor hurdles, graduating in 1997 with a degree in exercise science and a minor in coaching.

Professional career

Darius was selected 25th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, then the highest pick ever by the team for a defensive back. He was the sixth defensive back selected, behind Tebucky Jones, Duane Starks, and others. He was named to the All-Rookie team and led Jaguar defensive backs with 108 tackles in 14 games. In 1999 he switched to strong safety and continued to sharpen his skills as a defensive force.