Darby grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey and attended Lincoln High School. Darby was named first-team All-State in 2016 as a senior after 35 receptions for 957 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense and 27 tackles, one interception and three forced fumbles on defense.[1] Darby was rated a three star recruit and initially committed to play college football at Iowa.[2] After initially not qualifying to sign with Iowa due to a low SAT score, he chose Arizona State over offers from Rutgers and Boston College.[3]
College career
Darby redshirted his true freshman season.[4] He finished his redshirt sophomore season with 21 catches for 421 yards and two touchdowns.[5] As a redshirt junior, he caught 31 passes for 616 yards and eight touchdowns.[6] Darby was limited by injury as a senior and appeared in two of the Sun Devils' four games in the COVID-19 shortened Pac-12 Conference season, catching six passes for 46 yards and one touchdown.[7][8] Darby finished his collegiate career with 1,317 receiving yards on 67 receptions with 13 touchdowns.[9]
Darby was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round with the 187th pick in the 2021 NFL draft.[13] He signed his four-year rookie contract with Atlanta on June 15, 2021.[14] Darby made his NFL debut in Week 5 against the New York Jets, playing on special teams.[15] He caught a 14-yard pass from Josh Rosen for his first career reception on November 14, 2021, in a 43–3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10.[16]
On August 30, 2022, Darby was waived by the Falcons and re-signed to the practice squad.[17][18] He was promoted to the active roster on November 23, 2022.[19]
On August 14, 2023, Darby was waived by the Falcons.[20] On October 3, 2023, he was signed to the Falcons practice squad.[21] His contract expired when the teams season ended January 7, 2024.
San Francisco 49ers
On July 27, 2024, Darby signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[22] He was waived with an injury designation on August 12.[23]