WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary outside linebackers coach Darryl Blackstock was recently selected to participate in the NFL Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship.
Blackstock will work with the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams during training camp in July.
The program’s objective is to give coaches opportunities to observe, participate and gain experience with NFL clubs, and help them eventually land full-time positions in the league.
W&M Head Coach Mike London and Associate Head Coach Vincent Brown previously participated in the program.
Blackstock, who was promoted to director of player development and transition during the spring, enters his fourth season as an assistant on W&M’s staff and his third working with the outside linebackers.
His group played a pivotal role in the Tribe’s success defensively last season, as the team ranked among the nation’s top 20 in defensive touchdowns (11th), rushing defense (12th) and interceptions (18th). Additionally, W&M’s 29 sacks were just two shy of ranking among the program’s top-10 list, while it ranked third in the CAA in forced turnovers and pass efficiency defense.
A seven-year NFL veteran as a linebacker/defensive end, Blackstock played professionally with the Arizona Cardinals (2005-07), Cincinnati Bengals (2008-09), Oakland Raiders (2011) and Baltimore Ravens (2012). He also played one season with the Orlando Tuskers (2010) in the UFL. Highly regarded for his leadership and work ethic, he was chosen as a game day captain on numerous occasions.
Selected by the Cardinals in the third round (95th pick overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft, Blackstock began his professional tenure after an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Virginia. A three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference honoree, he led the league in sacks and ranked first in the nation among linebackers as a junior. His long list of collegiate accolades also includes being selected as the ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year by the Sporting News and garnering first-team freshman All-America distinction from numerous organizations.