2011 Football Roster
Darien Rankin
- Position:
- Defensive Back
- Height:
- 5-11
- Weight:
- 185
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Salisbury, N.C.
- High School:
- Salisbury
2013 - Sophomore Season
Appeared in 10 games and finished with 13 tackles and an interception • Had a season-high three tackles against Boston College • Also had three stops against Georgia Tech and a pair of tackles against Miami and Virginia Tech • Registered his fourth career interception and returned it 12 yards in the win over Middle Tennessee • Had one solo stop and broke up a pass in the season opener at No. 6 South Carolina.
2012 - Redshirt Freshman Season
Appeared in 11 games at safety, starting eight • Ranked sixth on the team with 48 tackles, 25 of which were solo stops • Third on the team with three interceptions • Had four tackles and 44-yard interception return in the season finale against Maryland • Finished with four stops in the win at Virginia • Had seven tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss and a QB hurry in the Georgia Tech game • Finished with four assists and an 11-yard interception in the win over NC State • Had seven stops and a pass breakup at Duke • Finished with three solo stops in the win at Miami • Established a career high with eight tackles in the win over Virginia Tech • Had one tackle and his first career interception in the Idaho game • Finished with seven stops against East Carolina • Had one tackle at Louisville and two in the season opener against Elon • Redshirted in 2011.
Salisbury High School
Ranked the No. 28 prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com • Considered the No. 87 safety prospect in the nation by ESPNU • Ranked the No. 108 safety in the country by Scout.com • All-state selection as a senior • Member of the Charlotte Observer's first-team defense • Helped lead Salisbury to the state 2-A title with 10 tackles and a pass breakup in win • Named defensive MVP of the state title game • Three sport standout in football, basketball and track • Coached by Joe Pinyan.
Personal
Son of Kenneth and Bianca Gillispie • Majoring in communication studies • Born Dec. 12, 1991.
