Kenneth Darby attended Butler High School in Huntsville, Alabama. He started at both running back and outside linebacker on the football team at Butler. As a senior, Darby rushed for 1,591 yards and 20 touchdowns. He had 2,367 all-purpose yards with 24 touchdowns. On defense he totaled 77 tackles on the season. He finished his career with 4,674 rushing yards and 281 career tackles. He was considered to be the top running back prospect in the state and accepted a scholarship to the University of Alabama where he sat out the 2002 season as a redshirt. He saw action in 10 games in 2003, missing two games due to an injured shoulder. He finished the season as the Tide’s third leading rusher with 185 yards on 34 attempts. He also caught 3 passes for 4 yards. Darby got his chance to start as a sophomore after starter Ray Hudson went down with an injury. He rushed for 1,062 yards on 219 attempts and scored 8 rushing touchdowns on the season. He added 15 receptions for 74 yards and another touchdown. He missed spring practices in 2005 while recovering from an injury that occurred late the previous season. He returned to lead the team in rushing for the second consecutive time as a junior, totaling 1,242 yards on 239 attempts with 3 touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 132 yards on the season.

Kenneth Darby has a good deal of experience against top competition, having started the majority of the past three seasons for the Crimson Tide in the SEC. He is a physical, between the tackles runner with good vision. He has quick feet and good lower body strength. He will keep his legs pumping after contact and gain additional yardage. He finishes his runs well and has a tendency to fall forward when tackled, allowing him to gain that extra yard or two. He lacks elite speed but he does change directions well. Though he wasn’t used much in the passing game at Alabama, Darby is a very capable receiver with above average hands. He is also a solid blocker who will pickup the blitz and protect his quarterback. Kenneth Darby lacks the size and speed scouts look for in an NFL running back. He won’t break many long runs and he may struggle to turn the corner at the next level. Darby did have some minor injury problems in college. That along with small size and punishing running style makes you question how durable he will be at the next level. He plays bigger than he is but he may benefit from adding some size and strength to his frame. Kenneth should be a second day pick in the 2007 NFL draft.