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Russellville native Darden earns scholarship at WKU

Ta’Corian Darden got the surprise of a lifetime Monday at Western Kentucky football practice.

The WKU walk-on and former Russellville High School star was awarded a scholarship by coach Mike Sanford. A video posted by the football program showed the moment.

The Hilltoppers lined up to stretch, with wide receiver Nacarius Fant up front set to lead jumping jacks.

As the team huddled up to break before beginning practice Sanford got in the middle of the scrum.

The team went wild, mobbing Darden as he fell to the ground, overcome by emotion.

Darden, who played the first two years of his WKU career as a walk-on, recalled the moment Tuesday afternoon after the Toppers’ 14th practice of fall camp.