University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Manny Flores
Darden Earns NFL Combine Invite
3/3/2021 3:23:00 PM | Football
DENTON -Â Former North Texas wide receiver Jaelon Darden earned a 2021 NFL Scouting Combine invite, becoming the third member of the Mean Green to do so since 2018 (running back Jeffery Wilson and defensive end LaDarius Hamilton). Due to CoVID-19 restrictions, the combine will be conducted virtually, and through North Texas' Pro Day, which will take place on Thursday, March 25.
Darden was among the nation's leaders in all of the major receiving categories. The Houston native finished with 74 receptions for 1,190 yards and a single-season program record 19 touchdowns in just nine games. His 19 receiving scores were second in the Football Bowl Subdivision, only trailing Alabama Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, who had 23 touchdowns in 13 games. Darden ranked seventh in the country in receptions per game (8.2). Darden led the nation in games with three or more receiving touchdowns, with four, and also tied for the most receiving scores in a single game in the country with four. Darden ranked third nationally in receiving yards per game (132.2) and receiving yards (1,190) and fourth in receptions (74). Darden concluded his time in Denton as the program's career record-holder in receptions (230), receiving yards (2,782) and receiving touchdowns (38).
Darden was a finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, was named the Conference USA MVP, a First Team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), a First Team All-America selection by Phil Steele, a Pro Football Focus First Team All-American (and the PFF Conference USA Player of the Year), an ESPN All-America selection, a Bleacher Report All-America selection, and a Second Team All-America selection by the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Walter Camp Foundation, the Sporting News, CBS/247Sports and The Athletic. Darden also narrowly missed a spot as one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award (was a semifinalist).
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Darden was among the nation's leaders in all of the major receiving categories. The Houston native finished with 74 receptions for 1,190 yards and a single-season program record 19 touchdowns in just nine games. His 19 receiving scores were second in the Football Bowl Subdivision, only trailing Alabama Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, who had 23 touchdowns in 13 games. Darden ranked seventh in the country in receptions per game (8.2). Darden led the nation in games with three or more receiving touchdowns, with four, and also tied for the most receiving scores in a single game in the country with four. Darden ranked third nationally in receiving yards per game (132.2) and receiving yards (1,190) and fourth in receptions (74). Darden concluded his time in Denton as the program's career record-holder in receptions (230), receiving yards (2,782) and receiving touchdowns (38).
Darden was a finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, was named the Conference USA MVP, a First Team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), a First Team All-America selection by Phil Steele, a Pro Football Focus First Team All-American (and the PFF Conference USA Player of the Year), an ESPN All-America selection, a Bleacher Report All-America selection, and a Second Team All-America selection by the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Walter Camp Foundation, the Sporting News, CBS/247Sports and The Athletic. Darden also narrowly missed a spot as one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award (was a semifinalist).
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Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, April 08
Wednesday, April 01