As a senior in 1988, he had 39 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles, which was enough to get him selected in the fifth round of the 1989 NFL draft.

[4][5] In his eight NFL seasons, Carrington intercepted 22 passes and returned them for 377 yards and a touchdown.

As of 2017[update]'s NFL off-season, he held the Broncos franchise record for most kick returns in a playoff game (6 in Super Bowl XXIV; with Glyn Milburn and Reuben Droughns), and average yards per return in a single post-season (24.63 in 1989).

He has a son, also named Darren, who played wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks until he was dismissed following a DUI arrest.

His daughter Daria is the head coach of the West Coast Breeze of The Basketball League.