Ever since graduating high school, Darvin Kidsy has been on a winding path that eventually led to him to the NFL.
Kidsy, 23, began his collegiate career at North Texas, the only school to offer him a scholarship.
In three seasons for the Mean Green, Kidsy appeared in 36 games, collecting 48 receptions for 539 yards and two touchdowns. After his junior season, though, Kidsy transferred to Texas Southern.
Here's photos from the Washington Redskins OTAs practice that took place Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park, presented by Loudoun Economic Development.
After being required to sit out the 2016 season due to NCAA eligibility rules, Kidsy returned to the field in 2017, recording career highs in receptions (38), receiving yards (519) and receiving touchdowns (three).
Despite his senior season production, though, Kidsy did not receive an invite to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. He then went undrafted before rookie minicamp tryouts with both the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins.
Just days after Washington's minicamp, however, Kidsy received the call he had been waiting for: he was signed to an NFL roster.
"What I did to stand out was just to show my speed and my determination to win every rep in tryouts," Kidsy told Redskins.com. "I guess they've seen that. I showed up on film. A lot of guys tell me to just put it all on film. That's the best thing I could've done in tryouts."
Kidsy admitted that the adjustment to the NFL has been a whirlwind as he's playing alongside veterans he had been watching on TV over the years.
"A couple months ago I was just training and my dreams are just becoming a reality," Kidsy said. "It's just been a blessing. I've been getting a lot of love here. It's the best spot. I went to Cleveland first, and it was a blessing just landing here. I'm getting a lot of opportunities here."
Kidsy also noted that he's been soaking up a lot of knowledge from Redskins Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams. Like Kidsy, Williams attended an HBCU in Grambling State, so he understands firsthand the transition.
"He's just telling me to be humble, humble myself and with everything I do," Kidsy said. "As you know, we always have a light on us and people think that HBCU guys can't play. So the biggest thing for us is to just stay humble."
As for his time at Texas Southern, Kidsy said he "blossomed into a better receiver," coupling his abilities with better production on the field.
His hope is that what he learned during his time with Tigers will translate to the professional level.
"When I was at North Texas I was just raw talent," Kidsy said. "I was a young guy with just raw talent. …I wanted to play special teams a lot. I just really wanted to make a play. At North Texas I was just raw talent. Just making plays out there and having fun. When you get a little older you kind of want to make sure you pinpoint what you want to work on in your game. At Texas Southern I just pinpointed on being a receiver."
