ASU Football: Frank Darby is transitioning into a leader on and off the field

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

Frank Darby does not know what a peaceful morning is. The Arizona State senior wide receiver starts his day greeting head coach Herm Edwards, who is usually finishing his daily 4:30 a.m. workout by around 6 a.m.

The two chat for a bit, then Darby joyfully moves on. His next mission is geared toward his fellow wide receivers, who make their way into the building usually tired from the early wakeup. It’s Darby’s job to get them right.

“We all come in during the morning tired and Frank’s just like ‘Yeah, lets go, time to work today,'” freshman wide receiver Johnny Wilson said. “It’s a great thing because when everyone else is feeling sluggish, he comes in with that energy to light that spark in the offense and get our day going.”

Before this season, Darby had largely been regarded as a deep threat with a fun, enigmatic personality off the field. In 2019, Darby averaged 19.9 yards per catch to lead all receivers with at least 10 receptions. But in 2020, the New Jersey native is transitioning into a new role as the top returning receiver on the roster.

This, in essence, is Darby’s year. Despite the arrival of highly touted freshmen pass catchers like LV Bunkley-Shelton and Wilson, the senior is set on being the Sun Devils No. 1 option in Zak Hill’s offense.

ASU’s new offensive coordinator is moving him around and exploring previously untapped roles, like lining Darby up in the slot and running Darby on shorter-to-intermediate routes.

But Darby has another purpose this season that’s arguably just as important. Despite Wilson and Bunkley-Shelton’s high praise from evaluators and other schools, they are still freshman and neither has played a single snap of college football. In addition, both have mentioned the grind and struggle of learning ASU’s new offense.

Darby serves as a mentor this year. He’s been a follower to leaders before him – most notably fellow receivers Brandon Aiyuk, N’Keal Harry and former quarterback Manny Wilkins – but now it’s his turn. Darby says it’s an opportunity he’s not going to let slip away.

“Last year, I never looked at myself as being a leader,” Darby said. “This year, I feel a pop to [the receivers]. When I say something to them, I get wide-eyes all the time. They’re actually listening to me. They come up and ask questions.”

The senior made sure he was prepared for his apprentices’ arrival. Darby said he studied tape on the freshman to get a vibe for their skillsets so that he knew what each needed to work on once camp started.

Once they got on the field, Darby was able to use what he knew to guide the receivers through drills against ASU’s secondary.

“I tell them to be physical,” Darby said. “[The defenders] got techniques they like to do. We got techniques we like to do. When I see them do reps, I always tell them how they could do it better.”

The mentor has sensed a bit of reluctancy and nervousness from his pupils. Whether it is just the freshman blues or the offense’s complexity, Darby’s energy is what powers them to overcome it.

“I always tell them, ‘Don’t worry about them. Don’t be scared of them. Don’t worry about their name,” Darby said. “That’s how I grew up. I didn’t care who you are or what your name is. It’s time to compete.”

The inexperienced guys enjoy his presence.

“As a group we all look up to him,” sophomore wide receiver Ricky Pearsall said. “He’s the voice of the group. He’s the energy of the group. Whenever he’s high energy or making plays, it makes us feel good. That’s when we go out and make plays too.”

In addition to Pearsall, Darby has made his presence felt with sophomore wide-out Andre Johnson, who described his freshman year as one where he wasn’t “completely into the program”. Darby’s focused himself on getting into Johnson’s head. He says keeping the energy up helps keep Johnson’s focus up.

“Before or after practice, he’s always just telling me what I’ve done wrong or what I need to work on,” Johnson said. “He makes sure my head is on straight and that I’m not getting into the ways I was in last year.”

Johnson backed up his teammates’ and coaches’ testimony of Darby’s character. His light never dies out.

“It doesn’t matter what is going on,” Johnson said. “If we’re not matching his energy, then he’ll make sure we are. He keeps the mood light around the facility.”

ASU coaches also benefit from Darby’s persona, possibly because it lifts a weight off their back. Darby does the motivating and encouragement for them.

“Frank brings energy everyday,” Hill said. “Whether it’s the locker room or the coaches office or meeting rooms or the practice field. He brings the energy.”

Darby added: “Some of them don’t even go to Coach P [ASU wide receivers coach Prentice Gill]. I like it. I’m not going to steer anyone the wrong way.”

Bunkley-Shelton has fallen into place under Darby, thanks to a lesson he learned long ago. The two figure to be effective compliments to each other in 2020, thanks to Darby’s vertical threat and the freshman’s speed.

“[Darby’s] a great leader,” Bunkley-Shelton said. “He’s a great role model. My Dad always told me, ‘In order to lead you got to know how to follow’ and I’m for sure following him.”

Darby’s up-tempo style and buzzing personality is in stark contrast to the player passing him the ball. Sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels has been consistently praised for his calm, level-headed demenor inside and outside of games.

But without Darby, one could wonder where the electricity is at all with the Sun Devils. He provides the spark not just for the receivers or offense, but for the whole team.