- 2019 Gatorade Florida Football Player of the Year
- Committed to play in the All-American Bowl (first St. Thomas Aquinas player since 2016)
- Helped St. Thomas Aquinas compile a 39-5 record in three varsity seasons, along with a victory in the 2019 FHSAA Class 7A State Championship, and an appearance in the 2018 FHSAA Class 7A State Championship Game
- Posted two sacks and a forced fumble in the 2019 state title game
- Finished his senior season with 28 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 58 total tackles
- Posted 18 tackles for loss and six sacks, along with a fumble recovery touchdown in 11 games as a junior
- Started at quarterback for St. Thomas Aquinas as a sophomore, but transitioned to defense for his junior and senior seasons
- His defensive line coach at St. Thomas Aquinas was former Miami Dolphins star Jason Taylor, who says:
- “Derek is just a heck of an athlete, a heck of a kid, has become a really really good leader and his football IQ is off the charts. He played so many different positions for us, including rush linebacker spot which I played when I played for (Nick) Saban. He’s hungry, wants to be the best and just works, and works and works at it.”
- Had nearly 30 Division I offers, including Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Penn State
247Sports Info
- 247Sports.com star rating: 4 stars
- 247Sports.com national ranking: 81
- 247Sports.com position ranking: 7 (OLB)
- 247Sports.com state ranking: 15