Daren Weston Bates[1] (born November 27, 1990) is an American former professional football linebacker and current assistant special teams coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.

He played college football for Auburn and was signed by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Bates played his freshman through junior year at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

His senior year, Bates played at Olive Branch High School in Mississippi for coach Scott Samsel.

He collected 90 tackles and four interceptions and had nearly 900 yards of total offense as a senior and was named MHSAA All-Region 1 Class 5A team.

Bates made his first collegiate start at linebacker in the season opener vs. Arkansas State after playing safety the previous years.

Bates was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent and made the final 53-man squad on September 1, 2013.