2019 (Redshirt)
Darien Chase played in four games as a true freshman, preserving his redshirt season. He made his career debut against Northern Illinois and recorded a 13-yard reception. Chase played in the Huskers' win at Illinois but did not have a catch, and he saw extensive playing time at Minnesota but did not record a reception. Chase also played in the season finale against Iowa but did not catch a pass.
Before Nebraska (Union HS)
Chase was a consensus choice as one of the top prospects in Washington. Chase was a standout performer for Coach Rory Rosenbach at Union High School in Vancouver, Wash., helping the school to a Class 4A state title and a 14-0 record in 2018.
Chase caught 65 passes for 1,004 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns in his senior season and added 214 yards on kickoff returns. His play keyed an offense that averaged better than 430 yards per game. In the state championship game, Chase had five catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, while adding two tackles. Chase was named the Seattle Times Co-Player of the Year. He was named the Washington Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Washington selection by USA Today.
Chase also led Union to the state playoffs as a junior in 2017. He caught 45 passes for 1,095 yards, averaging better than 24.3 yards per reception. Chase had 14 receiving touchdowns, including a 98-yard touchdown catch, and totaled more than 1,300 all-purpose yards. On defense, he had 33 tackles, four interceptions, four tackles for loss and two breakups.
Following his senior season, the Seattle Times named Chase one of five “blue chip” prospects in the state of Washington, while the Tacoma News Tribune identified Chase as a Northwest Nugget as one of the top recruits in the Northwest region. Chase was a first-team All-Washington pick by the Associated Press as both a junior and senior.
Chase was ranked as the top prospect in Washington by 247Sports, which also listed him as the nation’s No. 11 athlete prospect and the No. 200 overall recruit in the nation. Chase also visited Boise State and had offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Utah, Washington and Washington State among others.