Darren Sproles

Darren Lee Sproles (born June 20, 1983 in Waterloo, Iowa) is an American football running back and return specialist for the San Diego Chargers.

Early years
Darren Sproles attended Rolling Ridge Elementary, then Oregon Trail Junior High, followed by Olathe North High School all in Olathe, Kansas and was a star in football. In football, for two consecutive years, he was an All-Sunflower League honoree, All-Metro honoree, and an All-State selection, and he was twice named The Kansas City Star Player of the Year, and as a senior, he was the Kansas Hall of Fame Player of the Year and the USA Today Kansas Player of the year.

College career
Darren Sproles earned the nickname "Little Tank" playing college football at Kansas State University from 2001 to 2004, starting all games in his last two seasons and setting 23 school football records. He finished 11th on the all-time college rushing yards list, with the 6th most all-purpose yards in NCAA history. He led all Division I-A teams in rushing yards in 2003 with 1,986. He also led Kansas State University to its first Big 12 Conference championship in 2003.

2005 NFL Draft
Sproles was drafted by the Chargers 130th overall in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

San Diego Chargers
In the 2006-2007 preseason, Sproles contributed to the Chargers with many breakaway plays. His season was cut short after fracturing his fibula while returning a kickoff during the preseason win against the Green Bay Packers. He was put on injured reserve and missed the whole season.

After his season-ending injury, Sproles entered the 2007-2008 Chargers training camp once again. With new a coaching staff, Sproles had to prove that he could still play at the level of his college game, and show the Chargers why they picked him in the 2005 NFL draft. During his preseason game against the St. Louis Rams he returned a punt for a touchdown.

Sproles suffered a mild concussion during Week 1 of the 2007-2008 season during a kick return while playing against the Chicago Bears (SD 14, CH 3). He is expected to play in Week 2 vs. the New England Patriots.