Darin Conley

Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics

Position:
Outside Linebacker
Ht./Wt.:
6-4 / 225
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Kansas City, Mo.
Prev School:
The Pembroke Hill School
High School:
The Pembroke Hill School

Awards and Honors:
2025 Preseason All-MAC (first team by Sports Info Solutions)
2024 Academic All-MAC

Conley made significant strides in his first full season of action, proving to be one of the Cardinals' best at penetration and stopping the run ... likely honors candidate entering the 2025 season.

2024 (R-Fr.): Made 12 appearances in his first full college season, totaling 16 tackles, nine solo tackles and three tackles for loss … contributed a sack in back-to-back games against Western Michigan (Oct. 5) and Kent State (Oct. 12) ... his blocked extra-point attempt in the second quarter against Central Michigan (Sept. 21) marked Ball State’s first PAT block since 2015.

2023 (Fr.): Saw no action and received a redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year varsity letterwinner at The Pembroke Hill School ... played defensive end on defense, and tight end and running back on offense… played for coach Sam Knopik … a three-star recruit according to 247Sports, earned second team all-state honors as a junior and senior … named the Raiders captain and team MVP as a senior … finished his high school career with over 100 solo tackles and 40 sacks … scored 10 career touchdowns … helped guide the team to a district runner-up finish as a senior … also earned four letters in basketball and four in track and field for the Raiders … all-state in the shot put, triple jump and 4x100 relay in track ... as of 2025, remains the school record-holder in the shot put (16.77 meters) and triple jump (13.6 meters) … Conley brothers still own individual school track records in the 200 meters (Devin), shot put (Darin), javelin (Quinton) and triple jump (Darin) ... also all-district in basketball.

PERSONAL: Son of Dana and Lance Conley ... father, Lance, participated in track at the University of Missouri ... older brother Quinton plays tight end at Kansas ... twin brother Devin plays basketball at Emporia State University in Kansas ... enjoys golf, vegetable gardening and outdoor activities in his spare time ... favorite NFL players include Aaron Donald and Hassan Redick ... other favorite athletes include world record holder Sydney McLaughlin (400m hurdles) and tennis star Serena Williams ... favorite actor is Denzel Washington ... favorite musician is Bob Marley ... majors in environmental science.