Adversity is the word that best describes linebacker DaRon Gilbert’s journey to the NFL. Gilbert already had an uphill battle coming into training camp as an undrafted rookie in a crowded linebacker room. The fact that he only had one year of experience playing the position only added to the challenge.
Gilbert is a Detroit native who played for Brother Rice High School. He began his collegiate career as a safety at Lafayette College, an FCS school in Pennsylvania. After four solid seasons with the Leopards, he transferred to Northern Illinois and switched his position from safety to linebacker.