Darin Hungerford received New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Defensive Player of the Week recognition on Monday, September 26, 2016, after posting 11 tackles in a win over the William Patterson University football team on Saturday, September 24, 2016.
In the 24-13 defeat, the linebacker had 3.5 tackles for a loss, which included 1.5 sacks. As per the Kean University Athletics website, the 3.5 tackles he picked up are the most any conference player has had in a single game thus far this season. He now leads the NJAC with 9.5 total tackles for a loss. 
Hungerford is a junior majoring in criminal justice and would like to work in the district attorney (DA) office and become an agent.
From Dumfries, Virginia, Hungerford's collegiate football career started in the fall of 2014 at Glenville State College, a division II school in West Virginia. After issues regarding scholarship money and the coach, Hungerford began looking at other options, one of those being Kean University.
"I had a friend that went here, he was on the team and I was telling him how my last school wasn't working," Hungerford said. "So I came up here in the winter of 2014 and I saw it, and I liked it."
In the fall of 2015 Kean University became his new home.
Hungerford began playing football when he was four years old.
"Well, my dad said he put me in [football] because I was always crying all the time, so he wanted to toughen me up and then I just had a natural ability for it so I stuck with it," Hungerford explained.
In high school, Hungerford had to make the decision between the continuation of playing basketball or football. He chose the latter, as it was going better for him at the time.
In his collegiate football career, playing the sport in two different divisions, Hungerford can definitely account for some differences between the two levels. At Glenville State University, he played as a true freshman. He was 17 years old, fresh out of high school playing against 6'5", 300 lb men.
"The guys are bigger, they're faster, they're more athletic," Hungerford described. "But playing at Kean, it feels more like a family. I play with my brothers and I love it."
Hungerford is not the first Kean University football player to express how strong team chemistry creates a close, family-like atmosphere. Although there was a high level of talent at his previous school, the cliques and poor chemistry between players showed on the field. Whereas at Kean University, each player has each other's back.
One person who has had a huge impact on Hungerford is the university's Head Football Coach, Dan Garrett.
"Coach G changed my life," Hungerford said. "He really brought back the love I have for the game. I had lost it before I came here and he brought it back, so now I'm just enjoying every moment. I couldn't imagine making any other choice rather than Kean to be honest."
Along with Coach Garrett, Hungerford has been influenced by several others. He has looked up to Ray Lewis since he was a kid and aspires to be like him, but his biggest role models include his parents and his uncle.
"Biggest inspiration I'd have to say is my mom because I've seen her fight through so many obstacles in her life, so I have no reason to give up," Hungerford said.
His dad and uncle have always had his back when it came to anything sports. With a support system like this, he has big goals for the future. He wants to see if there are opportunities for him at the next level, whether that be in Europe, the Canadian League or National Football League (NFL).
"I'm not so sure about that, but just see if the opportunity is there and if I can exploit it, I'll definitely try to get back and say I did it, live with no regrets," said a very humble Hungerford.
But before that, he has very specific personal goals for this season to achieve his childhood dream of being named an All-American. The results of last year's conference elections has lit a fire beneath him as he works toward his season goals of 100 tackles, 10 sacks and beating the school record for tackles for loss.
A team player, Hungerford knows that winning NJAC's and going to the NCAA playoffs are his first priority as a member of the football team.
"At this point I'm just doing what it takes for the team to win," Hungerford said. "Honestly team goals -- I would never put myself above that. We want another ring so I'm going to do what I can and play my part."
Hungerford has a lot of confidence in his team for the remainder of this season. Each week the team has been improving and with strong focus, they have the potential to go all the way. He credits Coach Garrett for leading this team to greatness.
"I just want to give a shout out to Coach G," Hungerford added. "He's the man. I mean, great coach, great guy, definitely want to give him his recognition because he deserves it. He's holding everything together...that guy's amazing."
