Football: Pressure is on Darden to be the man at Dominguez

At 5 feet 8 and 170 pounds, Marcus Darden is a bit undersized to be considered a big-time Division I running back prospect. Slight of stature would be another way to describe his appearance. But his contributions for Compton Dominguez last season were anything but small, and those efforts did not go unnoticed.

In a limited role as a junior, he nearly averaged a first down every time he touched the ball, rushing for 9.16 yards per carry. He scored 16 touchdowns too. Darden is expected to be the featured back once things get started in September, and there will be plenty of colleges interested to see how he does with the increased workload.

Arizona, Colorado, Fresno State and Mississippi have scholarship offers on the table, and he visited UCLA earlier this summer. Boise State and Minnesota have been in contact with him as well. Darden, however, aspires to play for Cal, according to these quotes, and things could end up working out if he lives up to the growing expectations.

-- Sean Ceglinsky