Darius Victor Explained

Darius Victor
Current Team:Memphis Showboats
Number:27
Position:Running back
Birth Date:6 March 1994
Birth Place:Ivory Coast
Height Ft:5
Height In:7
Weight Lbs:230
High School:Northwestern (Hyattsville, Maryland)
College:Towson
Undraftedyear:2017
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
USFL
  • USFL Offensive Player of the Year (2022)
  • USFL rushing touchdowns leader (2022)
  • All-USFL (2022)
  • UFL Sportsman of the Year (2024)
NCAA
  • First-team All-CAA (2014)
  • Second-team All-CAA (2015)
  • CAA Rookie of the Year(2013)
Statleague:spring football
Statseason:2024
Statlabel1:Rushing Attemps
Statvalue1:388
Statlabel2:Rushing Yards
Statvalue2:1,760
Statlabel3:Yards Per Carries
Statvalue3:4.4
Statlabel4:TD
Statvalue4:17
Statlabel5:Receptions
Statvalue5:67
Statlabel6:Receiving Yards
Statvalue6:480
Statlabel7:Receiving Touchdowns
Statvalue7:4

Darius Vito Victor (born 6 March 1994) is a Liberian professional American football running back for the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Towson University. Victor was named 2022 Offensive Player of the Year of the United States Football League as a member of the New Jersey Generals.

Early years

Victor was born to Liberian parents as one of seven children in a refugee camp in the Ivory Coast after their parents fled the First Liberian Civil War.[1] He lived there until 1999, when his family came to the United States.

High school career

Victor attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. As a senior, Victor was the leading rusher in the state of Maryland with 2,107 yards and 31 touchdowns. His efforts would be rewarded with all-state honors.[2] During his time at Northwestern, Victor also played basketball and ran track. Despite his success in high school Victor was only ranked a 2-star recruit (73) by 247Sports.

College career

Victor attended Towson University in Towson, Maryland. As a true freshman in 2013, Victor found success as the backup to record-breaking running back Terrance West. He made his debut at North Carolina Central and ran for 53 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Victor would go on to appear in 14 games his first year, amassing 629 yards and seven touchdowns on 98 carries. Following the season, he was named the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year.

With Terrance West departing for the NFL, Victor saw his workload increase in 2014. Despite the Tigers' rough 4-8 season, he was able to gain 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on 250 carries. Victor averaged 108.8 yards a game and scored a touchdown in 9 of the team's 12 games. He finished his college career with more than 3,300 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Throughout his career at Towson, Johnny Unitas Stadium played part of his brother's song about him each time he got a carry called "VITO".[3]

College statistics
SeasonRushingReceiving
Att Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
201398 629 6.4 7 5 71 14.2 1
2014250 1,305 5.2 12 6 25 4.2 0
2015240 1,210 4.9 17 7 42 6.0 0
2016823544.37231.50
Total637 3,309 5.2 41 20 141 7.1 1

Professional career

New Orleans Saints

Victor declared for the 2017 NFL draft, but he was not drafted. He later attended the New Orleans Saints' rookie minicamp.[4] On August 1, 2017, Victor signed with the Saints.[5] He was waived on September 2, 2017.[6]

Arizona Cardinals

On November 29, 2017, Victor was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals on January 2, 2018.[7]

On May 1, 2018, Victor was waived by the Cardinals.[8] He was re-signed on August 28, 2018.[9] He was waived on September 1, 2018.[10]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

In February 2019, Victor was signed by Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was released on April 30, 2019, between mini-camp and before start of main training camp.

New York Guardians

In October 2019, Victor was selected by the New York Guardians in the 2020 XFL Draft.[11] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[12]

New Jersey Generals

Victor was drafted by the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.[13] He was named to the All-USFL team following the season[14] and was named the 2022 United States Football League Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league with nine touchdown runs.[15]

On July 19, 2022, Victor worked out with the New Orleans Saints, but no deal was reached.[16]

Victor re-signed with the Generals on July 12, 2023.[17] The Generals folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[18]

Memphis Showboats

On January 5, 2024, Victor was drafted by the Memphis Showboats during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lee . Edward . 18 August 2014 . Towson looks to Darius Victor to replace record-setting Terrance West . 15 May 2017 . Baltimore Sun . en.
  2. Web site: Towson Athletics . 3 May 2018 . www.towsontigers.com . en.
  3. Web site: Scherr . Rich . 19 September 2015 . Led by running back Darius Victor, Towson rallies to beat Holy Cross, 29-26 . 15 May 2017 . Baltimore Sun . en-US.
  4. Web site: Hendrix . John J. . 12 May 2017 . Several veterans spotted at Saints rookie minicamp tryouts . 15 May 2017 . Canal Street Chronicles.
  5. Web site: Teope . Herbie . 1 August 2017 . Saints to sign rookie RB Darius Victor, waive rookie LB Sae Tautu: source . 30 June 2023 . NOLA.com.
  6. Web site: 2 September 2017 . New Orleans Saints make 37 roster moves . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170254/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-make-37-roster-moves/772dc16b-7962-4363-b7a8-85db4dd37f90 . 7 October 2017 . NewOrleansSaints.com.
  7. Web site: Odegard, Kyle . 2 January 2018 . Carlton Agudosi Among 10 "Futures" Deals . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180102222734/https://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Carlton-Agudosi-Among-10-Futures-Deals/562c0ba3-5db5-4ca9-9466-731f2ce5be51 . 2 January 2018 . AZCardinals.com.
  8. Web site: Urban, Darren . 1 May 2018 . Cardinals Begin To Cut Down Roster . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180502194122/https://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Cardinals-Begin-To-Cut-Down-Roster/1e2af6ab-0690-49ce-8d2c-13bbb3f8dedc . 2 May 2018 . AZCardinals.com.
  9. Web site: Root . Jess . 28 August 2018 . Cardinals bring back RB Darius Victor . 30 June 2023 . Cards Wire . USA Today.
  10. Web site: Urban . Darren . 1 September 2018 . Cardinals Make Cuts To Reach 53-Man Roster . 30 June 2023 . AZCardinals.com.
  11. Web site: Bender . Bill . 21 October 2019 . XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league . 23 October 2019 . Sporting News.
  12. News: Condotta, Bob . 10 April 2020 . XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue . SeattleTimes.com . 17 July 2020.
  13. Web site: 10 March 2022 . USFL DRAFT 2022: SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT PICK-BY-PICK RESULTS . 11 March 2022 . www.foxsports.com . Fox Media LLC.
  14. Web site: 16 June 2022 . 2022 All-USFL Team offense unveiled . 26 February 2023 . theusfl.com . en.
  15. Web site: Sigler . John . 22 June 2022 . USFL names former Saints RB Darius Victor its Offensive Player of the Year . 30 June 2023 . Saints Wire . USA Today.
  16. Web site: Dajani . Jordan . 19 July 2022 . Saints work out USFL Offensive Player of the Year running back Darius Victor, per report . 26 February 2023 . CBSSports.com . en.
  17. USFLGenerals . Free Agent Signing . 1679260066535428097 . July 12, 2023 . July 16, 2023.
  18. Web site: Seifert . Kevin . January 1, 2024 . Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches . January 15, 2024 . ESPN.com.
  19. Web site: Reports . Staff . 2024-01-06 . UFL Dispersal Draft Results for Former XFL, USFL Teams . 2024-01-07 . Sports Illustrated UFL on FanNation News, Analysis and More . en.