Darius Demetrius Slay, nicknamed "Big Play Slay", is an American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.
Education
A native of Brunswick, Georgia, Slay attended Brunswick High School, where he was an all-state running back and defensive back. His junior season was shortened by a torn Master of Comparative Laws after he had rushed for 336 yards and six touchdowns in five games.
Career
He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mississippi State. He was named All-State by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at defensive back following his senior season, and was also chosen for the Georgia North-South All Star Game.
He rushed for over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns in the 2008 season, and intercepted six passes with two touchdown returns.
As a sophomore, he put up 1,127 yards on 142 rushes with 13 touchdowns. Slay also lettered in basketball and was a standout track and field athlete.
He was timed at 10.9 seconds in the 100 meters and 22 seconds in the 200 meters. Slay attended Itawamba Community College before transferring to Mississippi State University, where he played for coach Dan Mullen"s Mississippi State Bulldogs football team in 2011 and 2012.
In his two seasons for Mississippi State, he had 64 tackles, six interceptions and two touchdowns.
2013 NFL Combine
Detroit Lions
= 2013: Rookie year The Detroit Lions selected Slay in the second round, with the 36th overall pick, of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was the 5th cornerback taken in the draft, behind Dee Milliner, DJ Hayden, Desmond Trufant, and Xavier Rhodes. On May 3, 2013, Slay underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
The Lions signed him to a four-year rookie contract on May 9, 2013.
= 2014 On September 28, 2014, Slay recorded his first career interception against New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith. 2015
On January 2, 2016, Slay ended his campaign as Pro Football Focus"s 3rd best cornerback in the NFL.
Views
In 13 games (4 starts) of his rookie year in 2013, Slay made 34 tackles and 6 passes defended.