Darby was named first-team All-State in 2016 as a senior after 35 receptions for 957 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense and 27 tackles, one interception and three forced fumbles on defense.

[1] Darby was rated a three star recruit and initially committed to play college football at Iowa.

[2] After initially not qualifying to sign with Iowa due to a low SAT score, he chose Arizona State over offers from Rutgers and Boston College.

[6] Darby was limited by injury as a senior and appeared in two of the Sun Devils' four games in the COVID-19 shortened Pac-12 Conference season, catching six passes for 46 yards and one touchdown.

[15] He caught a 14-yard pass from Josh Rosen for his first career reception on November 14, 2021, in a 43–3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10.