One of the massive names from Alabama football’s 2008 signing class is done with the Buffalo Bills.
After being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and spending six and a half years in Buffalo, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus will be traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2018 draft– per ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Buffalo is trading DT Marcell Dareus to Jacksonville, sources tell ESPN. Dareus being reunited with HC Doug Marrone.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2017
Dareus, a native of Birmingham, Ala., accounted for 299 tackles, 35 sacks, 13 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 91 games.
The 6-foot-3, 331-pound lineman will be reunited with his former head coach, Doug Marrone, who guided him to his best two seasons in the National Football League in 2013 and 2014.
He would combine for 119 total tackles, 17.5 sacks and two forced fumbles – earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in both years and receiving first team All-Pro honors in 2014.
Although his talent is noted, Dareus has had problems with drugs.
In two different instances, he faced suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy in May of 2015 and August of 2016. Should he find a way to stay clean, Dareus will be a pivotal addition to Jacksonville with Calais Campbell, Dante Fowler Jr. and Telvin Smith (linebacker).
While the Jaguars serve its bye week, it’s currently tied for first in the AFC South with the Tennessee Titans at 4-3.
Tennessee holds the tiebreak after winning earlier this season; however, Marrone’s group can exact revenge on Dec. 31 at Nissan Stadium as the year winds down.
Before going to the NFL, Dareus was a marquee factor in Alabama’s first Southeastern Conference and national championship under head coach Nick Saban in 2009. He was credited with 33 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries and an interception.
In the Tide’s meetings versus Texas at the 2010 BCS National Championship Game, he intercepted quarterback Garrett Gilbert and returned the pick for a 28-yard touchdown.
Dareus was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, and along with winning a conference and national title, he took home first team All-SEC honors in 2010.
He put in 33 tackles that season – including 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries (team-high) in helping the team demolish Michigan State, 45-7 in the Capital One Bowl.
Hopefully, the 27-year-old pans out in Florida.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
