Honors and Awards
» Academic All-Big Ten (2017)
» Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2015, 2016)
» Nebraska Sam Foltz Hero 27 Leadership Award (2017)
» Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2016, 2017, 2018)
» Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2016, 2017, 2018)
2017 (Junior)
Darlington was Nebraska’s primary holder for the second straight season in 2017, battling an illness to appear in nine games. In addition to his holding duties, Darlington also worked as a wide receiver. His holding helped Drew Brown earn honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors as Brown missed only two kicks all season, connecting on 12-of-14 field goal attempts and all 37 extra-point tries. A converted quarterback, Darlington also completed a pass as part of an unsuccessful fake field goal attempt in the season finale against Iowa.
2016 (Sophomore)
Darlington handled the Huskers' starting holder duties, helping Drew Brown connect on 12-of-14 field goals and all 38 PAT attempts. He ran for a two-point conversion in the opener against Fresno State. Darlington was also used as a reserve quarterback late in the season and saw action late in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee. He completed two passes for 14 yards against the Vols.
2015 (Redshirt Freshman)
Darlington added depth at quarterback, but did not appear in a game.
2014 (Redshirt)
Darlington joined the Nebraska program in January, then redshirted and worked on the scout team offense in the fall.
Before Nebraska (Apopka HS)
A preseason All-Florida selection in 2013, Darlington’s senior season at Apopka High was cut short after just one game because of injury.
Darlington was a two-year starting quarterback for one of the dominant prep programs in Florida. Playing for his father, Rick, the younger Darlington used his strong arm and great speed to lead Apopka to a 13-2 record in 2012, and the Class 8A state title. Darlington passed for 1,725 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also rushing for 708 yards and 10 touchdowns. In the state title game against Weston Cypress Bay, Darlington passed for 254 yards while rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns. Darlington was named a Class 8A second-team all-state selection. As a sophomore, Darlington led Apopka to a 6-5 record.
Darlington was ranked among the top 15 dual-threat quarterbacks by 24/7 Sports. Darlington also had offers from Arizona, Boston College, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia among others, but only visited Nebraska.
Personal
The son of Rick and Shelly Darlington, Zack was born on March 27, 1995. He is majoring in communication studies. He has volunteered his time with Uplifting Athletes, School is Cool, the FCA, Husker Hotline, NFL Fuel Up to Play 60, and numerous other outreach events. In 2017, he earned a prestigious Sam Foltz Hero 27 Leadership Award. Zack has been named to the Brook Berringer and the Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams each of the past three years. His older brother, Ty, was a two-year starter at center at Oklahoma and earned the prestigious Draddy Trophy, known as the academic Heisman, in 2015.