Indianapolis Colts select Darius Rush in fifth round of 2023 NFL Draft

The Indianapolis Colts have selected Darius Rush with the No. 138 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The former South Carolina standout will now take his talents to the NFL and look to earn a role on defense.

Rush finished the 2022 college season with 38 tackles, seven pass deflections and two interceptions. On his college career, which included 29 games, the 6-foot-2 defender racked up 75 tackles with 15 pass deflections and three interceptions.

He became an overachiever from the class of 2018 after starring at C E Murray (SC). Rush ranked as a three-star recruit at No. 1,069 overall and No. 179 among wide receivers before switching to defense, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Darius Rush

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke down what Darius Rush can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the cornerback’s draft profile. The analyst rated the South Carolina product as a third or fourth round player in his report.

The breakdown provided several reasons for why the young defensive back has a chance to make an impact at the next level.

“Two-year starter at cornerback after moving from wide receiver in his redshirt freshman season,” Zierlein wrote. “Rush is big, long and physical. He struggles to stay connected with routes from both press and off coverages but could improve with more technique work. He will never have the short area foot quickness to mirror and match routes but has impressive ball skills to disrupt the catch when he’s in position.”

Zierlein also broke down what Rush’s greatest strengths and weaknesses are at this point.

Rush’s strengths include: “Possesses NFL-caliber size and length, quickly crowds outside release to the boundary, plays to his size when challenging the throw, partitions off the catch area from trail position, attacks deep throws with timing and accuracy, productive tackler on punt cover team.”

Rush’s weaknesses include: “Struggles to match release due to elongated steps, gives ground when chasing vertical routes, below average stop-start fluidity, hip tightness prevents smooth transitions, unable to hang with multi-breaking routes.”