Former Indian Darius Slay named to first Pro Bowl

Former Indian Darius Slay (Brunswick, GA) was one of four NFC cornerbacks selected to the Pro Bowl in his fifth-year with the Detroit Lions.

Slay's seven interceptions and 27 passes defended leads the league. While drawing some of the NFL's best receivers, opposing quarterbacks have a 56.3 passer rating when throwing into his coverage.

"Appreciate yall… first one in the books an many more to come…. #Blessed #ProBowl," Slay tweeted on December 19th.

As a freshman at ICC, Slay earned First Team MACJC All-State and NJCAA All-Region 23 honors after record 41 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack and forced two fumbles after only playing five games for Coach Jon Williams and the Indians.



After his stellar freshman season, he earned JC Gridwire Preseason Second Team All-American honors heading into his sophomore season.



During his final season in Fulton, Slay recorded 32 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery while hauling in three catches for 63 yards and a touchdown to earn MACJC First Team All-State honors on defense and special teams after playing in all nine games.



Slay, who originally committed to Mississippi State out of high school, honored his original commitment by signing with the Bulldogs after getting offers from Kentucky, Georgia and Oklahoma State.



As a junior, he saw action in all 12 games and the Music City Bowl on special teams and in a reserve role as a defensive back for the Bulldogs. He recorded 23 tackles, four pass breakups and returned an interception for a touchdown against his home-state Georgia Bulldogs.



As a senior in Starkville, he started at defensive back in all 13 games and had 40 total tackles, six pass breakups and five interceptions with one returned for a touchdown to earn Coaches All-SEC second-team honors.

VIDEO: Slay talks with LetsGoICC after visiting with the ICC coaches in January of 2016

He is the third former Indian to be selected to the Pro Bowl, joining former New Orleans Saints receiver Joe Horn (2000, 01, 02, 04) and former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Tim Bowens (1998, 02).

Slay will be a reserve for the NFC squad with Minnesota's Xavier Rhodes and Arizona's Patrick Peterson being named the conference's starting cornerbacks. The NFL's all-star game will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on January 28 at 2:00 p.m.