Darren McFadden
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| Darren McFadden | |
|---|---|
| College | Arkansas |
| Conference | SEC |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | Tailback |
| Class | Sophomore |
| Nickname | D Mack |
| Career | 2005 – present |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | August 27, 1987 (age 19) North Little Rock, Arkansas |
| High School | Oak Grove HS, North Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Awards | |
| 2006 Doak Walker Award 2006 SEC Player of the Year 2006 Heisman Trophy Runner-Up |
|
Darren McFadden (born August 27, 1987 in North Little Rock, Arkansas) is the 2006 All-American starting tailback for the University of Arkansas and the 2006 Doak Walker Award winner as the nation's top running back. He has two years of NCAA eligibility remaining.
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[edit] High School
McFadden attended Oak Grove High School in North Little Rock, where he was a Parade Magazine All-American in 2004, and was also named the Arkansas High School player of the year by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. During his time at Oak Grove, McFadden would occasionally line up at the quarterback position, a skill which he would use later in his career at Arkansas in the "Wildcat" formation.
[edit] College
Throughout his 2 college years, McFadden has already eclipsed many records in University of Arkansas Razorback football, the largest perhaps being the most yards in a single season, accomplished in his sophomore year. He also came in second for the Heisman award of 2006.
[edit] Freshman Season
In 2005, his true freshman season, McFadden rushed for 1,113 yards and 11 touchdowns on 176 attempts, earning Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year honors. McFadden was an integral part of an Arkansas offense, that, although going 4-7, lost to top ranked teams such as Georgia and LSU only in the closing seconds of those games. Although being a backup for the first 2 games of the season, and even gathering interest from defensive coordinator Reggie Herring to become a safety, a position he also played in high school, McFadden stuck with his position at running back.
McFadden slowly transformed into the breakout star he would soon become, rushing for long touchdowns in several games. McFadden ended the season with the most yards a freshman running back had ever gained in an Arkansas uniform, and became one of only two Southeastern Conference players to rush over 1,000 yards as a freshman, the other being former Heisman Trophy winner University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker. McFadden continued through spring practice early the next year as the number one running back on the Razorback depth chart, a spot doubtful he will relinquish while still on the campus.
[edit] Sophomore Season
In 2006, despite a slow start due to a dislocated toe from an off the field incident at night club in Little Rock, McFadden rushed for a school-record 1,558 yards, scored 15 touchdowns, and threw for 3 more touchdowns on just 7 passing attempts, becoming a first-team All-American. Thanks to his efforts, Arkansas streaked to 10 straight wins, the SEC Western Division Championship, but lost to Wisconsin in the 2007 Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2007.
On December 6, 2006, McFadden was named 1 of 3 finalists for the Heisman Trophy, along with Troy Smith (Ohio State University) and Brady Quinn (University of Notre Dame). The next day, McFadden became the first sophomore to win the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top running back. In the final 2006 Heisman vote, McFadden placed second behind Smith and several points in front of Quinn. He is a leading contender for the 2007 race, and considered by many to be the favorite over other players such as West Virginia University's Steve Slaton and Pat White, and Boise State University's Ian Johnson.
Standing at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds, McFadden recently surpassed Madre Hill as the record holder for most yards in a season at the Arkansas. He is also the centerpiece of the "Wildcat" formation, an offensive formation whereby he lines up as quarterback. Since McFadden often played quarterback in high school, he is a threat to either throw (6 of 8 on passing and 3 touchdowns), or more often, to run the ball. In this formation he also often hands off to another player, usually fellow running back Felix Jones, thus making the formation a triple threat. The "Wildcat" formation, as practiced at Arkansas, is also known nationally by some as the "501", McFadden's hometown telephone area code and the subject of a tattoo on his arm.
[edit] Junior Season
Darren McFadden's junior season will begin during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, in which he figures, as previously stated, to be one of the leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy. McFadden is eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft, and many are already predicting him to be a high first round draft pick if he were to declare for the draft after the season. McFadden will also be attempting to break the Arkansas career rushing record, currently held by Ben Cowins.
[edit] Trivia
- Darren has many nicknames ranging from "Run DMC", to "501", to "D-Mac",to "D-Dog" and others.
[edit] References
| Preceded by Reggie Bush |
Doak Walker Award Winner 2006 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
