2020 NFL Draft Profile: Nebraska Defensive Lineman Darrion Daniels

Darrion Daniels started his career at Oklahoma State where he made an immediate impact, playing in every game as a true freshman and being named the outstanding defensive newcomer. As a junior, he ascended to a starting role. His senior season came to an early end with a finger injury, but since he played in four games, he preserved that year of eligibility.

Rather than stay put in Stillwater, he made the decision to head to Lincoln to play his final year alongside “little” brother Damion Daniels. Perhaps I should say that Damion is the “younger” brother as he is listed at 340 lbs on the Huskers.com roster while Darrion is listed at 325 lbs. And to think, I’ve been fussing about feeding my three teenage sons during this lockdown...I can’t imagine how much food Mrs. Daniels has to whip up when her boys are home...

Not only did Darrion offer experience and prototypical size at nose tackle for Erik Chinander’s 3-4 defense, but he made an immediate impact in the locker room as well. As a newcomer, he was voted to be one of four team captains for the 2019 season. Scott Frost had made no secret of the fact that he was still not happy with the “culture” of the program in his second year at the helm and a player with the work ethic and leadership possessed by Darrion was a welcome addition.

From His Huskers.com Bio

• Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (2019, Coaches)
• Team Captain (2019)
• Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2019; Spring 2019)

Combine Test Results and NFL Prospects

Darrion slimmed down for the combine, weighing in at 311 lbs. He doesn’t blow you away with athleticism, he posted a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 4.12 out of 10 (Source).

40 yard dash: 5.18 sec

Bench Press: 21 reps

Vertical Jump: 27.0 in

Broad Jump: 109.0 in

3 Cone Drill: 7.75 sec

20 Yd Shuttle: 4.93 sec

His overall grade of 5.48 at nfl.com (ranked #20 of defensive tackles at the combine (nine spots behind Khalil Davis and three spots ahead of Carlos Davis)

So, Your Team Drafted Him - What Are You Getting?

In the NFL, Daniels looks like a good fit for a team that needs a two-down run-stuffer to eat up space in the middle of the line. He is not a pass-rusher or a guy that will collapse the pocket from the middle, but he will hold his own against blockers.

By all accounts, he is a high character human being and possesses a strong work ethic. He is going to be a positive locker room presence as well.