While the Irons family is not as recognizable as the Mannings -- Archie, Peyton and Eli -- they do boast a long history of relatives who have excelled at the collegiate and professional football levels over the years. David's father, David Sr., works with sports agent Pat Dye Jr. His brother, Kenny, was a teammate and standout running back at Auburn.
David's uncle, Grant, was a starting defensive end at Notre Dame and presently plays for the Oakland Raiders. Grant's brother, Jarrett, was a Michigan All-America linebacker and captain of the Wolverines in 1996. Grant's other brother, Gerald Jr., played football at Nebraska as a defensive lineman. Their father, Gerald Sr., played at Maryland-Eastern Shore, then spent six years with the Oakland Raiders and four with the Cleveland Browns as a linebacker.
Like his brother, Kenny, David was a standout running back at Dacula High School. The PrepStar All-American was a member of SuperPrep's Georgia Top 30 team, despite missing three games with a knee injury as a senior. He ran for 700 yards and 10 touchdown and caught 15 passes for 204 yards, including two scores that year.
As a junior, Irons rushed for 1,349 yards and 18 touchdowns while leading Dacula to an 11-2 record. He gained 247 yards on just nine carries and four scores in one game that year. He also caught 19 passes for more than 300 yards and six touchdowns. He lettered on the school's track team, capturing the region championships in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes as a junior.
After graduating from high school, Irons sat out the 2001 season to have his left knee anterior cruciate ligament repaired. He then enrolled at Butler County Community College in 2002, where he started 11 regular season games at cornerback. He posted 45 tackles (39 solos) with two interceptions, 11 pass deflections and two forced fumbles, earning All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference second-team honors.
Irons was a first-team all-conference selection at Butler College in 2003. In 12 games, he delivered 59 tackles (46 solos) with two stops for losses. He blocked three kicks, had three interceptions and nine pass break-ups. Irons then enrolled at Auburn in January 2004 but spent the season on the sidelines after undergoing further surgery on his left knee.
Irons finally got on the field for the Tigers in 2005. He earned Associated Press second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors while starting 11 games at left cornerback. He sat out the Ball State game with a bruised tailbone, but still produced 48 tackles (36 solos) with two stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also deflected 11 passes.
Irons was named Rivals.com All-American second team in 2006. He started all 13 games at left cornerback, coming up with 42 tackles (23 solos) and a forced fumble, adding three more tackles on special teams. He was credited with three stops behind the line of scrimmage and 12 pass break-ups. He also picked off a pair of passes.
Irons started all 24 games he played in for Auburn. He recorded 90 tackles (59 solos) with 5½ stops for losses of 20 yards. He caused one fumble and posted three special team tackles. He intercepted two passes and collected 23 pass deflections.
COMPARES TO: Aaron Glenn -- Dallas ... Irons knows he lacks room on his frame to get bigger, but like Glenn he is a feisty player who can pester a receiver to frustration ... He is best when making plays in front of him, but struggles when the ball is behind him ... He lacks hands to be much of a pass thief, but his elevation and timing lets him get to most balls at its high point.
AGILITY TESTS: Campus: 4.46 in the 40-yard dash ... 280-pound bench press ... 303-pound power clean ... 31 1/2-inch vertical jump ... 9-foot-6 broad jump ... 31 1/8-inch arm length ... 9 1/8-inch hands ... Right-handed. Combine: 4.54 in the 40-yard dash ... 1.67 10-yard dash ... 2.67 20-yard dash ... 4.3 20-yard shuttle ... 11.67 60-yard shuttle ... 7.18 three-cone drill ... Bench pressed 225 pounds 11 times.
