Former Towson RB Darius Victor Hungry For NFL Opportunity After Standout USFL Season

New Jersey Generals running back Darius Victor has not strayed from his goal to play once again in the NFL, and the former Towson University star continues to be motivated for his dream to come true.

A motto he posts regularly on social media — “dreams are free, grind sold separately” — encompasses his consistent effort and resilience throughout his career. Even though it would be a quick turnaround to join an NFL team for training camp, Victor maintains a positive mindset.

“I’m available, I’m ready and I’m hungry,” Victor said on Glenn Clark Radio June 28. “I don’t ever shy away from doing hard work or taking the long road.”

This spring, the 5-foot-8, 209-pound running back posted 577 yards with nine touchdowns on the ground and 753 all-purpose yards in a 9-1 season for the Generals. The 28-year-old was named the United States Football League’s Offensive Player of the Year for 2022.

Victor played for the New Orleans Saints (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2017-2018) and the XFL’s New York Guardians (2020) before joining the Generals, but he never suited up in regular-season games for the Saints or Cardinals.

The journey of making his dream of playing football a reality has not been an easy road for the running back. Victor was born in a refugee camp on the Ivory Coast in Africa during the Liberian Civil War and later moved to the U.S. with his family.

Darius Victor
Darius Victor at Towson (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Towson Athletics)

Victor has taken his opportunity in USFL to realize how he wants to move forward in life and in football.

“I tell people I’m not even supposed to be here,” Victor said. “I’m supposed to be in Africa somewhere, probably dead, or fighting a war.”

Victor has made himself ready for any opportunity that may pass his way by training, staying in shape and playing whenever he can. While other players may shy away from the USFL, he embraced the league and crushed it. Victor focused on controlling only what he could control — his body and attitude.

“I know what I want. I know what I’m capable of,” Victor said.

Victor’s love of football has surpassed any frustration about not currently being in the NFL. He said he’d even play football for free. He enjoyed having the fans involved in unique ways in the USFL as part of making football more interactive.

Cameras on helmets, for example, showed viewers just what it feels like to be Darius Victor on game day.

“I enjoyed the access, like the helmet cams and things like that. I think that was pretty fun,” Victor said. “I’m running the ball, but just seeing it on the helmet camera was a cool experience. … Little things like that here and there could make the NFL more interactive.”

When looking back at his time with the Tigers (2013-2016), Victor has stayed in touch with his teammates, but one with a similar struggle has stuck out to him.

Former Towson teammate Shane Simpson is in the same position as Victor. The pandemic eliminated Simpson’s last season with the Tigers and forced him to play his final college season at Virginia. They are both looking to join an NFL team for the season.

“I’m just a football player,” Victor said. “I play special teams. I’m running down there making tackles. I’m blocking. I’m a great teammate. I’m a great leader, just a guy who picks up a playbook really fast.”

Photo Credit: Michael Reaves/USFL/Getty Images