Players Spotlight: Daren Stone, Atlanta Falcons

By Randy Schultz, Special to USA Football

It began as an unassuming day at Lockport (N.Y.) High School. The school was hosting its annual two-day Health Fair in the gymnasium.

Suddenly, students who had been milling around the fair, going table to table, all seemed to be heading in the same direction. Most seemed headed toward a table at the north end of the gym.

There, being interviewed by the local TV station, sat Daren Stone. Stone, the newest member of the Atlanta Falcons, had returned to visit his high school alma mater. The 2003 LHS graduate had been drafted by the Falcons in the sixth round (203rd overall) of the 2007 draft just a few weeks earlier.

Stone (#39) breaks up a pass intended for Stacy Tutt of the Jets.

Following the conclusion of the interview, Stone signed autographs for the large throng that had gathered around him.

Three months later he returned to western New York again, this time as a member of the Falcons squad, playing in a preseason contest against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

By the end of the season, Stone had established himself as a regular in the Falcons' rotation of defensive backs. The 6-3, 221-pound Lockport native ended his rookie campaign in 2007 with 10 tackles (9 solo) in 12 games.

"It has been a tremendous learning experience," commented Stone, who also played four years for the University of Maine Black Bears. "I'm just trying to help out in any way I can for the team. That was actually my goal this year. I just wanted to contribute to the success of the Falcons. And it seems like each week my roles on the team seem to be increasing. So I'm just taking things one week at a time."

There are many who believe that Stone's rise to NFL fame began some time between his sophomore and junior years in high school.

"Daren was not overly aggressive as a tenth grader," recalled former Lockport High School football coach Mike Finn. "That's why we used him primarily as a wide receiver. He didn't play as a freshman on the junior varsity team. He had suffered an injury over the summer. But something happened in his junior year. He was always very slender and athletic looking. He was much more aggressive. He was playing both safety and corner on defense and was still starting on offense. By the time he got to his senior year, he was dominating on defense. He was a dominating player both offensively and defensively. Opponents had to account for Daren on every play of every contest. It's no surprise that he is in the NFL."

Stone gives a great deal of credit to Lockport High School for his success.

"I'll always appreciate everything that the teachers there did for me, especially coach Finn," the 2-year-old Stone said. "Coach Finn worked with me a lot. These people were all behind me through my high school days and through college. They are a big reason for the success I've experienced so far. And now that I've made it to this level, I don't want to let anyone down. I want to stay and play in the NFL as long as I can. You only get opportunities like this once in a lifetime."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.