Fifth-year performer who will compete for regular assignments at tight end this fall after a solid junior campaign.
2014: Played in all 12 games his junior season with a pair of starts ... Caught 2 passes for 14 yards, including his first reception in game vs. South Dakota (10/1814) ... Also had a 4-yard reception at Indiana State (11/1/14) in second career start ... Started first collegiate game at national runner-up Illinois State (10/25/14) ... Named MSU Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week for game against Youngstown State (10/4/14).
2013: Saw action in 3 games as a sophomore ... Earned MSU Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week honors for games against Central Arkansas (9/21/13) and win at Southern Illinois (11/9/13) ... Bears were victorious in all three games heplayed -- home wins over Illinois State (9/28/13) and Indiana State (11/2/13) and road win at Western Illinois (10/26/13).
2012: Played in 8 games as a redshirt freshman ... Provided the Bears with a solid and sizeable reserve and special teams presence.
2011: Redshirted his freshman season at Missouri State ... Had 2 receptions for 30 yards in 2012 spring scrimmages.
High School: Helped lead Coach Duron Sutton's Ridgeway High Roadrunners to an undefeated (7-0) league record and 13-1 overall mark that culminated in a Tennessee state semifi nal appearance in 2010 ... Had 29 catches, 450 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2010 ... Earned a spot in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star Game ... Also played as a power forward for the Roadrunners' basketball team, which was ranked ninth in Tennessee.
Personal: Richard Ashante Darden was born 5/30/93 in Memphis, Tenn. ... Son of Richard Darden and Shaundra Gatewood of Memphis ... Has two brothers, Sean-Gregory and Xavier ... Comes from a football tradition, with both his father and grandfather earning All-American status ... Majoring in Sport and Park Administration.
