Big Time Stud Considers SMU

[Stallion]

Texas Football is reporting that former Dallas Jesuit High School All American DLM Thomas Derricks has obtained his release from Northwestern and will likely transfer in the next couple of weeks. Derricks as I recall was a Texas Top 30 and member of the Texas Football Super Team in 2001 who was recruited by just about everybody before turning down Penn St to sign with Northwestern. (what is going on with that program-I've heard about 5 reports from players and recruits in the last year that they didn't like the feel of the program). Derricks also played in the US Army All-American Game. Derricks is 6-2,285 and was the strongest man on NW in his freshman year. He started 3 games and played in all 11 and was very productive with 29 tackles including a sack. He is presently considering SMU, UT, A&M, LSU and all have offered except UT. He would have to sit out next year and would have 2 years of eligibilty left. Great news because he would go along way in solving our biggest need. I would put him No. 1 on our "Wish List". BTW Derricks has also been an assistant coach at Jesuit who every once in awhile produces some Top Division 1 prospects. His association with these kids might provide us with some valuable contacts in the next few years.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 01-11-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 01-11-2003).]

[PX]

Did Derricks play in Northwesterns opener against Air Force? When someone first mentioned him to me they said he had dropped out of Northwestern before the season started, and I thought if he hadnt played this year that might preserve a year of eligibility. On Northwesterns website he's listed as the projected starter for the Air Force game, but he doesnt appear in the defensive stats. I know he didnt play against TCU, but if he played even one down against Air Force he probably loses the year.

[Stallion]

The Texas FB article said he left school at the start of camp and didn't play at all last year.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 01-11-2003).]

[Mickey]

Stallion/PX

I remember him. He was one of the top players in that recruiting class.

I can't remember the details in recruiting a transfer. Can either one of you address the following as relates to Derricks?


1. Was he on the roster at NU last year? Did he play last year, or did he quit prior to the season? Was he enrolled at NU last semester? If the answer is no to all 3, does he have to sit out a year since he already sat out?

2. Is he planning to enroll at another school in JAN 03 or is he going to enroll in the fall of 03? If he is going to enroll in the spring and participate in spring practice, he will have to sign with someone ASAP.

3. Is he being recruited as if he were a HS recruit or does he go through a different recruiting process? If he is being recruited with the HS players, is he visiting SMU this week end?

4. If he only played one year at NU, then he has 3 years of eligibility left at the school he transfers to. Right?

Awaiting your response. Thanks.


[This message has been edited by Mickey (edited 01-11-2003).]

[Recruiting Guru]

Thomas Derricks was not enrolled at all in 2002 - therefore not a member of the team.

I've heard differing reports about whether he'll enroll in January, but most people I've talked to consider him very likely to enroll somewhere in the fall.

The recruiting process is different for players who already have played at another school, with different rules about contact between players and schools.

No, I'm afraid PX is right - NCAA transfer rules stipulate that even though he has been granted his release by Northwestern, he still would have to sit out a year.

Also, I believe he's bigger than the size indicated in Stallion's report. I talked with a college coach who's on a staff at a school that's extremely interested in him, and I was told he's a hair over 6'4" and between 290 and 295. Beyond that, he's cat-quick for a big man and is much stronger than other athletes his age. He always has had superior strength. Stallion's right - landing Thomas Derricks would be an enormous accomplishment for SMU, and he should sit at the top of the wish list.

[Mickey]

Also, what effect will this have on the 25/85 limits?

[Recruiting Guru]

I believe (this would need to be checked out) that he would count against the total scholarship limit of 85, but that he would not count against the 25-man limit for a recruiting class. I believe he could be signed and the numbers could be tweaked by sticking him in for an upperclassman who quits, etc. There's absolutely no reason not to sign this guy. He was recruited hard by Nebraska and Michigan, as well as Northwestern and Penn State before he signed with NW. Nebraska talked of starting him as a true freshman. He is a top-tier prospect. He's a local guy in Dallas, having played at Jesuit College Prep in Dallas, and he's extremely close to his family, which might help SMU. It might not close the deal, but it certainly can't hurt.

[PonyPower]

I saw Derricks play in high school, and signing this guy should be a no-brainer. In 10th grade, he was 6'3" or so and probably 260 - and a simply ferocious player. Even as a sophomore, when he was younger than the guys who usually blocked against him, he threw them around like they weren't there. He lived in the opposing backfield, and when he got his hands on you - forget it. Even as a sophomore, he was virtually unblockable. He was as dominant a high school player (admittedly against private school competition) as I've ever seen. He would have stood out against the big public schools, too. Just ask Coach Ringo - Derricks was unstoppable against Coppell, although I'm not sure if Coach Ringo was still coaching there. But I guarantee he knows him.

[PX]

I cant add much to what Guru said. Derricks was not enrolled at NU this past semester, he's been here in Dallas, and as Stallion pointed out he's been helping out as an assistant coach at Jesuit. He did play extensive minutes as a true freshman at Northwestern.
He's being recruited as a transfer, not a high school prospect, and the process is a little different for him. Having his college credits transfer is more important than his high school grades, but either way it shouldnt be a problem. He was a good student in high school, and there shouldnt be a problem having credits from Northwestern transfer to SMU.

[Mickey]

Recruiting Guru,

If he was not enrolled this fall, then he has already sat out a year. Therefore, he can play next fall. Right? Get him signed and in class this spring so he can participate in spring practice.

[Stallion]

No you've got to sit out a year at the new school is the way I have always understood it.

[Mickey]

Stallion, You may be right. But maybe I am. Anyone know the rules?

[PerunaPunch]

Time to give credit where credit is due...

Props to ponyfan Corso for identifying the "mystery" DT. Corso had the goods on Derricks 3 weeks ago, but was keeping silent on behalf of the SMU coaching staff who was working behind the scenes on Derricks.

BTW, I understand the he a has a 3.6 (rumor) GPA at Northwestern. Combine that with the fact that Derricks was a Jesuit kid, he's probably pretty bright.

Rumor has it that Derricks wanted to get back closer to home, and therefore, SMU should have some edge in recruiting him.

Great education + close to home = SMU

[Brasco]

If Thomas Derricks sat out last season at Northwestern, why would he need to sit out next season should he decide to attend SMU?

This does not make any sense to me. I understand the transfer rule: if a player transfers to another school you need to sit out a year, but I thought that only applied to a player if the player played the previous season.

Does anyone know whether Derricks will have to sit out next season if he transfers to SMU?

[Recruiting Guru]

I've checked with a couple more experts, and if he goes to a D-IA school, he would in fact have to sit out another year. Of course, that would coincide with the emergence of many of the young players (who are likely to redshirt the 2003 season) so many PonyFans are excited about, so that might not be a bad thing. I've heard that Derricks also is considering Stephen F. Austin, Southwest Texas State, Grambling and Holy Cross (in Massachuessetts). Those are D-IAA schools and Derricks would be allowed to play immediately.