Atlanta Falcons select ASU’s Frank Darby in 6th round of 2021 NFL Draft
May 1, 2021, 12:54 PM | Updated: 12:55 pm
Wide receiver Frank Darby #84 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates after scoring on a 26 yard touchdown reception against the Oregon Ducks during the second half of the NCAAF game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Ducks 31-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Former Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Frank Darby was taken with the No. 187 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Darby becomes the third Sun Devil receiver to be drafted in the past three years, following N’Keal Harry in 2019 and Brandon Aiyuk in 2020.
Darby heads to the Falcons after a four-year collegiate career with the Sun Devils. During his time in Tempe, Darby hauled in 67 receptions for 1,317 yards and 13 touchdowns.
After committing to ASU as a three-star recruit out of New Jersey, Darby redshirted his freshman year. When the receiver hit the field, he carved out a role as a go-to deep threat for the Sun Devils throughout his collegiate career, averaging 19.7 yards per catch.
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His best season came in 2019 when he caught 31 passes for 616 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2020, Darby only appeared in two games after he suffered a rib injury during the Sun Devils season-opening game at USC and the Sun Devils saw their next three games canceled due to COVID-19.
When ASU got back on the field after their three-week layoff, Darby scored his only touchdown of 2020 against UCLA.
After unprecedented circumstances in 2020, Darby accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he caught a pass from Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks and converted a critical fourth down.
Darby was praised for his toughness and athleticism and projects to play in the slot in the NFL, according to Drae Harris of the Draft Network.
