Darby talks Notre Dame at Gridiron Kings
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Oxon Hill (Md.) Potomac cornerback Ronald Darby is amongst the players on the Midwest squad at the ESPN Rise Gridiron Kings event being held at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Following the Saturday morning session, Darby spoke about his commitment to Notre Dame and where things stand as summer wraps up.
"I have been committed since the spring game," Darby said. "Going down the list I was wanting to find a place that met up with all of my requirements. That is the place. I wanted a good education, good football program on the uprise and a need at my position. Notre Dame has all of that."
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Recently, rumors circulated that he was less than solid to Notre Dame because he visited a few other schools in recent weeks. Darby said that the visits weren't solely for him.
"You could say that," Darby said when asked if he had taken some recent visits. "I went with teammates. I didn't go by myself. They hit up Alabama, Auburn, and I went to UNC. I've also been to Clemson."
Despite seeing a few other campuses, Darby reiterated that he stands behind his pledge to Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish.
"I am solid to Notre Dame," Darby said. "When I visit those other schools I talk with coaches, out of respect for them, but I am still solid with my school."
The Rivals100 cornerback is staying in regular contact with Notre Dame assistant coach Kerry Cooks, speaking to him on a weekly basis.
As for whether or not he hits the road again to see any other schools, Darby is unsure of his future plans. The only official visit he knows of at this time is to watch his future program in action.
"I am not sure if I will take some officials, but I know I will be at Notre Dame-Michigan State," Darby said. "That is the only official I have planned at this time."
At the time of his commitment Darby intended to be an early enrollee in South Bend, but his busy track schedule derailed those plans.
"I was planning to but doing this track stuff this summer I wasn't able to," Darby said. "I needed some extra credits and wasn't able to get them. So I guess I am going to stay (for the spring)."
Darby though says his focus isn't on recruiting or anything else while he is in the Sunshine State for Gridiron Kings, he is simply focused on helping to lead his team to a championship on Sunday.
"It is really a great experience," Darby said. "All of my teammates are really cool. I know we are going to come out here and have fun. We are going to show them what we can do. I am enjoying being around some of my future teammates here as well."
Other Notre Dame commitments participating in Gridiron Kings include Woodberry Forest (Va.) Woodberry Forest School safety CJ Prosise, as well as Fresno (Calif.) Washington Union teammates, wide receiver Deontay Greenberry and cornerback Tee Shepard.