It was August 1, 2024. For most high schoolers, it was just another summer day to sleep in. However, for him, his day started at 7 a.m. with his phone ringing with calls from all across the nation. It was the first day that the recruiting window had opened up, and he was at the top of every school’s wishlist.

Committed to Oklahoma State, junior Jeffrey-Todd Darden has emerged as one of the best baseball players in the entire nation. However, Darden’s real commitment is not about the lights or the money, but about his faith in God.

Darden’s been playing baseball for as long as he can possibly remember, but he never expected it to get to this stage.

“My brother first started playing and he kind of got me into the game,” Darden said. “I just started playing for fun and it just started to turn into something special.”

Special is understating Darden’s talent. Described as a five tool player, he can do it all. Hit for power. Consistently get hits. Field the ball well. Throw with precision. Be the fastest on the field.

“I’m somebody who can impact the game at every level,” Darden said. “My ability to hit for power and my speed is kind of a rare combination. It’s something that creates differentiation from other people.”

Expected to be an MLB star by institutions such as Sports Illustrated, Perfect Game and Five Tool Baseball, Darden’s got a lot more on his plate than the average high schooler. With pressure building and eyes watching, Darden’s handling the pressure in the only way he knows how to: his faith in God.

“Putting my trust in God has given me the opportunity to play the game freely, knowing that whatever happens is supposed to happen,” Darden said. “It gives me an opportunity to just go out there, have fun and not put too much stress on myself.”

At the same time as Darden may be subject to feeling small from the national attention, it could be just as easy to have it get to his ego. However, his faith continues to lead him in humility.

“I know that God gave me the ability to play the game. And I know that as quickly as He can give me the ability and the talents, He can take it away,” Darden said. “I know I just got to stay  level headed and know that it could be taken away from me anytime.”

Reliant on God, Darden’s dedicated himself to remaining faithful throughout the entirety of his journey. With lofty dreams in mind, he wants to use his God-given talent and give it all back to God.

“Ultimately, my goal is to be the best to ever play the game and, hopefully, inspire a bunch of people,” Darden said. “[I want to] reach others through God, showing that God was able to get me to this point.”

The point that Darden has already reached is impressively high. Earlier this year, the top college programs across the nation kicked off their fight to land the star hitter as soon as they could.

“Aug. 1 of this year is when the recruiting window opened and I started to be able to talk to a bunch of coaches,” Darden said. “It was awesome.”

That treatment is something only the best of the best can receive. That’s why Darden made sure to appreciate the opportunity more than anything.

“That was the biggest moment,” Darden said. “I just got to see all of my hardwork pay off. I tried to just soak it all in and hear everyone out.”

In the end, Darden chose to commit to Oklahoma State — who has the fourth-best all-time winning percentage in collegiate baseball and has made the NCAA Tournament 11 times in a row. However, filled with offers from other excellent programs like Texas A&M, Auburn and Baylor, his choice was carefully made.

“Oklahoma State’s given me a good opportunity to go in and play as a freshman,” Darden said. “It was a tough decision, but what it ultimately came down to for me was where I can develop as a hitter and give me that next level.”

But what led Darden to the Cowboys wasn’t just on the field, but off of it too. Talking to the coaches, visiting the facilities, and being sideline at football games, Darden knew that Stillwater was the place to be.

“When I went down there for a visit, it just felt like home,” Darden said. “They’re a coaching staff that I connected with and it’s a place where I can develop as a man and help the community outside of baseball.”

Finally committed to a school, Darden’s all in on the Cowboys. They put their trust in him, and he wants to show them why that’s going to pay off.

“I’m going to do everything I can to help the team win a national championship all three years I’m there and continue to get better,” Darden said. “Hopefully I’ll be there for three years and get drafted in the first round.”

But before all of that, Darden’s focused on helping CyWoods win a championship of their own. Looking to bring the team back to the top of the state, he’s willing to do whatever is asked of him for the Wildcats to win.

“I want to help my team make a run in the playoffs and be a leader,” Darden said. “I’ll do everything I need to do in terms of helping my team win, and hopefully we can make a run at something good.”

It’s not ju Darden helping the Wildcats win games; he’s a multi-sport athlete, going to region in the 4x100m relay and picking off an interception as the football team’s starting varsity defensive back. With a lot on his plate, Darden still stays competitive.

“I look at it as an opportunity,” Darden said. “Anything that I do, whether it’s sports or just even school related, I want to be the best at it and I want to perform at a high level.”

Through it all, Darden is staying true to himself. He’s determined to be the best baseball player ever and he knows what it takes.

“I just got to stay humble and continue to work” Darden said. “And never being complacent kind of keeps me humble. I’m just trying to be a good inspiration to everybody.”

Whether he’s hitting homeruns on the diamond or answering calls from the most prestigious coaches in the world, Darden’s made it clear that there’s one message he’d like to deliver along his journey to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“Keep God first and he’s gonna make the way for you,” Darden said.