​Darnell Stokes, Jr., of Indian River, surged down the field to score a third-quarter touchdown against Lake Forest at Lake Forest High School in Felton on November 7, 2025, helping Indian River to a 27-21 victory. Photo by Jason Minto/Special to Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
With the 2026 Syracuse Orange football season on the horizon, we’re dissecting the roster to introduce many new faces in Year 3 of the Fran Brown Era. Next up is Darnell Stokes, Jr. Position: Defensive Back. Class: Freshman. Height: 6’2”. Weight: 185 lbs. Hometown: Seaford, Delaware. High School: Indian River.
2025 highlights: Stokes earned first-team all- state honors in Delaware on both offense (wide receiver) and defense (defensive back). He amassed over 1,000 rushing yards with 16 touchdowns after stepping in at running back, while contributing on defense and special teams. 2026 outlook: A superb athlete, Stokes projects as a starter on defense, with the frame and versatility to line up at safety and potentially contribute as a returner, leveraging his ball skills.
Recruiting path: Chose Syracuse over offers from Rutgers, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech. Recruiting consensus: three-star prospect, ranked as Delaware’s third-best player and a top-50 athlete in the class. Social: Instagram @1k_diggs.
Quirky note: Indian River High is in Dagsboro, Delaware, near Prince George’s Chapel, a 1755-built church and among the oldest in America.
Want more? Check out last season’s highlights for a closer look.