Florida State enters the spring without veterans Terrance Parks, Mike Harris and Nick Moody in the secondary where defensive coordinator Mark Stoops will analyze the development of several young players.
As part of an ongoing series of articles, Seminoles.com Senior Writer Brandon Mellor looks at each member of Florida State's vaunted 2012 recruiting class. Third on the countdown of new 'Noles is Ronald Darby.
Seminoles.com Senior Writer Brandon Mellor breaks down FSU's returning defensive players and looks at the 'Noles' needs on the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary heading into National Signing Day 2012.
About Harris... Junior college transfer who finished his career with 99 career tackles (76 unassisted), six tackles for loss, 15 passes defended and five interceptions in just two seasons as a Seminole.
2011
Senior cornerback who was part of a three-man starting rotation at cornerback in helping FSU rank as the No. 4 defense nationally - second-best defense against the run and No. 20 in pass defense...also served as the nickelback but started seven games at either field or boundary corner...recipient of the Don Powell Award at the team's annual banquet which is given to the unsung Hero...finished as Florida State's second-leading tackler with 58 stops (43 unassisted, 15 assisted) while also adding six tackles for loss, a team-best nine pass break-ups, one sack and an interception...earned first career start vs. ULM, registering two tackles and a half-tackle for a loss...tied for team lead with nine tackles against then No. 1 Oklahoma...made a season-best 11 stops at Clemson...intercepted first pass of the season at Florida and returned it 89 yards, which was the seventh longest INT in FSU history and second-longest not resulting in a TD.
2010 Junior college transfer who made an immediate impact in 2010, jumping into the lineup as the primary nickelback in the season opener and pushing for a starting job at field corner down the stretch...recorded 41 tackles (33 solos), despite no starts...repeatedly showed a penchant for making a big play in key moments...collected the first of four interceptions - which tied for the team lead - against Samford...also intercepted passes in wins over Clemson , Florida and South Carolina ...forced two fumbles, including one that teammate Nick Moody returned to the Miami 1-yard line, setting up a touchdown for a 14-0 lead...also forced a fumble against Wake Forest which helped preserve the 31-0 shutout...FSU career-high five tackles - all solos - also came against the Demon Deacons...named one of the top newcomers on defense at the annual Florida State football banquet.
PERSONAL
Coveted big corner from the junior college ranks by way of South Miami, where he was a spread option quarterback...the nation's No. 26 junior college prospect according to SuperPrep Juco 100 rankings by Allen Wallace...earned a four-star ranking from Rivals and a three-star ranking from Scout.com...spent two years at El Camino Community College in California...recorded 40 tackles with eight pass breakups and three interceptions as a sophomore at El Camino...returned two interceptions for touchdowns to go along with a fumble recovery and a return for a TD...registered 26 tackles, 10 pass breakups and one interception as a freshman...selected FSU over an impressive list of offers, including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Kansas State, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State and Oregon...born January 5, 1989.
Career Highs:
Tackles- 5, Wake Forest, 2010
Interceptions- 1 (three times), last Florida, 2010