Dallas DaRon Bland: 0 Star Recruit to NFL Stardom
The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 45-10 on Thanksgiving Day, moving their record on the season to 8-3. Thursday was a day of records for Dallas, as they tied the franchise record for most 20+ point wins in a season with 7 and DaRon Bland broke a very impressive NFL record with his 5th pick-6 of the season.
DaRon Bland was far from being a household name coming out of Fresno State, but that has all changed now.
Who is Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Bland?
Dallas Cowboys’ CB DaRon Bland has had quite a meteoric rise over the last two seasons. As a high school recruit, Bland was unranked by the recruiting services and only held one scholarship offer. He went on the play for Sacramento State for three seasons and was named to the Big Sky Conference 1st Team during his Junior year.
When his senior season was canceled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Bland hit the transfer portal and moved on to Fresno State.
Selected in the 5th round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Bland was seen more as a special teams contributor and a back-up CB by most scouts. However, Bland worked his way into being a starter when Jourdan Lewis was injured, accumulating 54 total tackles and 5 interceptions.
Bland is now a fixture in the Cowboys secondary and a rising superstar in the NFL. Through 11 games this season, he already has 48 total tackles and an NFL leading 7 interceptions.
Owner Jerry Jones was quoted as saying, “We all are not only impressed by what he’s doing, his work ethic. We’re impressed with how sound he is when he’s not making those interceptions. He’s playing really sound football back there. It would have been beyond our expectation or dream for him to step up the way he has. It’s inspirational.”
DaRon Bland and his New NFL Record
On Thanksgiving Day, Bland returned an interception for a touchdown, breaking the NFL single-season record for returned touchdowns with his 5th pick-6 of the season. Bland broke former Philadelphia Eagles CB Eric Allen’s single-season pick-6 record of 4, set back in 1993.
Bland has been real quick to mention his support system on the team when discussing his success, “It means everything, it’s a lot to learn from. You got Al [Harris], who was a 15-year vet. Gilly (Stephon Gilmore), another 10-year vet. Then you got Tre (Trevon Diggs), an interception guy.”
What is next for DaRon Bland?
Already in elite company, Bland (12 INT) has the opportunity to pass Marcus Peters, Erik McMillan, and teammate Trevon Diggs (14 INT) for most interceptions through his first two seasons. Cowboys legend Everson Walls has the most interceptions in the Super Bowl era through his first two seasons (18 INT).
DaRon Bland is almost certainly going to be an All-Pro this season. He is also among a few others, including Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett, Pittsburgh Steelers Edge Rusher TJ Watt, and Cowboys teammate Edge Rusher Micah Parsons vying for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
About the Author
Tommy Harvey has been writing about fantasy football, NFL, and college football for more than 12 years. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Tommy specializes in dynasty, devy, and campus to canton leagues.
Tommy is also an avid college basketball, college baseball, MLB, NBA, Pro Wrestling, and MMA fan.
As a co-founder of dynastyprosfootball.com, Tommy is the host of the Dynasty Pros Devy Show. Follow DynastyPros on X @dynastyprosff and Tommy on X @dynastyprostom and for more content, follow @fsheroics.