2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

DETROIT LIONS
23 - DARIUS SLAY
Cornerback Mississippi State Brunswick, Ga.
Year: 3 Ht: 6-0 Wt:190 Born: 1/1/91
Draft: ’13, R2 (36)-Det
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round (36th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
PRO
Third-year cornerback who has seen valuable time at right CB while bringing elite athleticism, speed and length to the back
end of the Lions defensive unit. Joined CB Rashean Mathis in 2014 season as one of the team’s starting CBs.
2014: Had a breakout season in only his second year in the League, finishing fifth on the team with 60 tackles (47 solo),
two interceptions and a team-leading 17 pass defenses. His 17 pass defenses tied for ninth in the entire NFL, and ranked
second among all rookie and second-year players this season.
‣ ¾ Recorded three tackles and defended three passes in Week 1 vs. New York Giants (9/8).
‣ ¾ Recorded four tackles (three solo) in Week 2 at Carolina (9/14).
‣ ¾ Registered six tackles and one pass defense in Week 3 vs. Green Bay (9/21).
‣ ¾ Had five tackles, one pass defense and his first-career interception in Week 4 at New York Jets (9/28).
‣ ¾ Posted five tackles and defended one pass in Week 5 vs. Buffalo (10/5).
‣ ¾ Registered two tackles in Week 6 at Minnesota (10/12).
‣ ¾ Recorded six tackles and defended two passes in Week 7 vs. New Orleans (10/19).
‣ ¾ Posted one tackle in Week 8 at Atlanta (10/26).
‣ ¾ Registered six tackles in Week 10 vs. Miami (11/09).
‣ ¾ Defended one pass in Week 11 at Arizona (11/16).
‣ ¾ Assisted on one tackle in Week 12 at New England (11/23).
‣ ¾ Posted eight tackles and defended three passes in Week 13 vs. Chicago (11/27).
‣ ¾ Registered four tackles (one for loss) and defended one pass in Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay (12/07).
‣ ¾ Registered five tackles (one on special teams), one interception and defended one pass in Week 15 vs. Minnesota (12/14).
‣ ¾ Recorded four tackles and defended two passes in Week 16 at Chicago (12/21).
‣ ¾ Had one tackle in Week 17 at Green Bay (12/28).
‣ ¾ Defended one pass in the NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4).
2013: Played in 13 games (four starts) in his rookie season, totaling 31 tackles (25 solo) and five pass defenses.
‣ ¾ Started in rookie debut for the Lions, recorded four solo tackles and one pass defense in Week 1 vs. Minnesota (9/8).
‣ ¾ Started second consecutive game in Week 2 at Arizona (9/15).
‣ ¾ Saw action on special teams in Week 3 at Washington (9/22).
‣ ¾ Tied for second on the team in tackles with seven (six solo) and posted one pass defense in Week 4 vs. Chicago (9/29).
‣ ¾ Saw action on special teams in Week 5 at Green Bay (10/6).
‣ ¾ Recorded four tackles (two solo) and one special teams tackle in Week 6 at Cleveland (10/13).
COLLEGE
In two seasons at Mississippi State, played in 26 games, starting 13 contests at cornerback. Finished his career as a
Bulldog with 63 tackles (40 solo), including two tackles for loss, 10 pass defenses, six interceptions (173 yards and two
touchdowns) and one fumble recovery
‣ ¾ His two interceptions returned for scores are one shy of the school career-record of three that is shared by Johnthan
Banks (2009-12), Derek Pegues (2005-2008) and Corey Broomfield (2009-Present).
‣ ¾ Turned in the top performance among defensive backs in the 40-yard dash in the 2013 NFL Combine with a 4.36.
2012: Named an Honorable Mention All-American by Pro Football Weekly and received All-Southeastern Conference
Second Team accolades from the league’s coaches, Phil Steele and The NFL Draft Report.
PERSONAL
Attended Brunswick (Ga.) High School, where he was an All-State selection as both a DB and RB, earning defensive honors
from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and offensive accolades from the Georgia Sports Writers Association as a senior.
‣ ¾ Was an all-state honorable mention as a sophomore, rushing for 1,127 yards on 142 rushes with 13 touchdowns that
season. Also lettered in basketball and was a standout sprinter, competing in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.
SLAY’S SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Tackles:.................................................................................... 8 vs. Chi 11/27/14
Interceptions:..................................................1 (twice) Last vs. Min 12/14/14
Pass Defenses:................................................3 (twice) Last vs. Chi 11/27/14
SLAY’S CAREER STATISTICS
Year Tm G S TT ST AT Sk Yds Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
2013 Det 13 4 31 25 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 3
2014 Det 16 16 60 47 13 0.0 0 2 42 0 17 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 29 20 91 72 19 0.0 0 2 42 0 22 0 0 0 0 4
Postseason
Year Tm G S TT ST AT Sk Yds Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
2014 Det 1 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 1 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
PLAYER PROFILES