DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University senior defensive end Darius Royster has been selected to the STATS FCS All-America Team as a member of the third team.
 
A native of Chesapeake, Virginia, Royster topped the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with 16.0 tackles for a loss, 9.0 sacks and three forced fumbles, and ranked ninth in the league with 75 tackles as the only defensive lineman positioned in the top-20.
 
On Dec. 10 in New York City, Royster was announced as the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also recognized as the top HBCU defender as the BOXTOROW Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Royster's 9.0 sacks (7 solo/4 assisted) are more than any other NCCU Eagle in the past 35 years, and his 75 tackles are the most among NCCU defensive linemen in 25 years.
 
During his senior campaign, Royster amassed a career-high 12 tackles versus Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 10, including 2.5 hits for a loss and 1.5 sacks. He registered a tackle for loss in 10 straight games from Sept. 7 through Nov. 16.
 
In his first game of the 2018 season, Royster broke the school record for most tackles for loss in a game with 6.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage versus Prairie View A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
 
Royster graduated from NCCU in May 2019 with bachelor's degree in psychology, and he is currently studying for a second degree in criminal justice.