Darren McFadden (born August 27, 1987 in North Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American football running back who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 2005 to 2007. McFadden was drafted fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 NFL Draft. McFadden graduated from Oak Grove High School in North Little Rock. A widely touted recruit, he chose to attend Arkansas. He was a two-time member of the Associated Press All-America team as a tailback for the Razorbacks in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, he became the first sophomore to win the Doak Walker Award, the award honoring the nation's top collegiate running back. He joined Ricky Williams as only the second two-time winner after taking home the award again in 2007. McFadden also won the 2007 Walter Camp Award as the nation's best player and was also the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy two years in a row in 2006 and 2007. McFadden performed well at Indianapolis, Indiana's NFL Scouting Combine, and after being drafted, he eventually signed a contract worth $60 million with the Raiders, including $26 million in guaranteed money. Although he played infrequently as a rookie, receiving only 113 carries, fans and members of the media still praised McFadden's talents and abilities.
