The B.C. Lions signed wide receiver Jaelon Darden on Tuesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Jaelon Darden is five foot nine and weighs 175 pounds. The 26-year-old from Houston, Texas, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round (129th pick) of the 2021 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns and the Seattle Seahawks. Darden played four seasons in the NFL with nine catches for 75 yards, two carries for 13 yards, 34 kick returns for 764 yards, and one punt return for 88 yards in 36 games.
Collegiately, Darden spent four seasons at North Texas (2017-20) with 230 catches for 2,782 yards, 38 touchdowns, seven carries for 27 yards, 17 kick returns for 299 yards, 35 punt returns for 310 yards, one touchdown, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 48 games for the Mean Green.
In 2020, Darden made 74 catches for 1,109 yards, 19 touchdowns, one carry for -3 yards, one kick return for four yards, four punt returns for 21 yards, and one tackle (1 assist) in nine games.
Darden was named a two-time First Team All-Conference USA, First Team All-American, Second Team All-American by the Associated Press, Sporting News, the American Football Coaches Association, and The Athletic, and was the Conference USA Most Valuable Player.
Darden finished his collegiate career as the team’s all-time leader in career receptions (230), receiving yards (2,782), and receiving touchdowns (38).
