Cowboys’ DaRon Bland starred at these California schools before breaking NFL pick-6 record

Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland was picking off passes all over Northern California before he became an NFL record breaker.

Bland starred at Central Catholic High School in Modesto, Sacramento State and Fresno State before the Cowboys selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The 24-year-old Modesto native made this Thanksgiving one to remember, setting an NFL single-season record with his fifth pick-6 interception return for a touchdown in Thursday’s 45-10 victory over the Washington Commanders.

Going into the game, Bland shared the record with the Philadelphia Eagles’ Eric Allen (1993), Kansas City Chiefs’ Jim Kearney (1972) and Houston Oilers’ Ken Houston (1971). Bland broke the record with a 63-yard touchdown return — and with family in attendance — to punctuate a blowout win for the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“I wanted to show my teammates my return skills,” Bland told the media in Arlington. “That’s what they said, ‘We’ve seen a lot of pick-6s, we got to see one with return skills.’ Hopefully, I showed them.”

Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) eat turkey legs after the Cowboys’ victory over the Washington Commanders on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy sang Bland’s praises following the game, saying: “From every opportunity he’s been given, he’s just been so steady, so professional. His playmaking ability is special.”

Bland led the Cowboys with five interceptions last season. He has seven so far this season.

This is nothing new for Bland, who had a 102-yard interception return in a Central Catholic win over Manteca on Oct. 14, 2016. Bland helped the Raiders win Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF state championships as a sophomore. He was named Valley Oak League Defensive Player of the Year as a senior after making 44 tackles with two interceptions.

Bland spent four years at Sacramento State. He returned his first interception for 47 yards in 2018. He was a first-team All-Big Sky Conference selection and the Hornets’ Outstanding Defensive Back in 2019 after recording 43 tackles, eight pass breakups, one sack, 6 ½ tackles for loss and two interceptions. He had a season-high seven tackles, 1 ½ tackles for loss and an interception in a win over fifth-ranked Montana.

After his senior season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bland transferred to Fresno State. He appeared in all 13 games for the Bulldogs and started the last nine, compiling 45 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble. He helped the Bulldogs knock off two Top 25 opponents for the first time since 2004. Both Top 25 wins came on the road, the first time Fresno State had done that in the 100-year history of the program.