Interview: 20-Offer 3-Star 2021 DE Derek Wilkins Ready to Drop a Top 6 List

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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To earn accolades in California’s Trinity League, one of if not the toughest high school football conference in the nation, is a statement by itself. When the 2019 season ended, Class of 2021 defensive end Derek Wilkins received post-season All-Trinity League and All-CIF honors after taking down 54 ball carriers, 30 solo, with 15 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, two batted away passes, four forced fumbles, and three blocked punts. The 6-5, 255-pound, Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic three-star recruit has also earned the respect and admiration of 20 college football programs with offers stretching from the ACC and Big Ten to the Pac-12, and those might be paired down to a Top 6 soon.

As Wilkins prepares for his senior season on the field, off of it he is preparing to make that big decision on his ideal fit at the next level. In an RNG catch-up interview, Wilkins covers ground on his recruitment and offseason workouts.

Interview

Derek, when the 2019 season ended what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game as a defensive end?

“I feel like last year I was able to play the run a lot better. I was able to get after the passer too, but my real strength was playing the run and being disruptive in the backfield.”

Since the season ended, what have you been working on with the technical aspects to playing your position?

“This offseason I have been working a lot on passing rushing, flipping my hips, and getting to the QB. During the quarantine, I was not allowed to use the bags. But I got some teammates to work with on moves. I have also worked on faster feet and being more agile.”

New moves, what are some of the moves you will showcase this season?

“I am trying to work on my counters, setting up a move and having a counter ready to go. If I see an over step, I want to be ready with a chop-rip-spin or whatever counter I may need.”

How have you added strength to your game this spring and summer?

“This spring I have been working on what I can; it has mostly been footwork and focusing on my lower half to make sure I can use my feet to my advantage to get around linemen. I have done a lot of lifting, trying to bulk up while being agile. This spring I was fortunate enough to pick up a rack, I was able to do bench, squat, clean, and deadlift and some body weight stuff like pushups, sit-ups, squats, and running. I don’t have dumb bells, I just use the bar.”

Going deeper on what you just shared; what have you been doing to increase your speed, burst, and twitchiness this offseason?

“I have been doing a lot of sprints, jump rope, ladders, and quick change of direction/turning the corner drills like that to speed up my feet while keeping my balance.”

Have you been able to max out over the last couple of months?

“No, I haven’t. I haven’t been able to max in a little bit. Last time I maxed, I cleaned 295, my bench was 285, and my squat was 405. But that was pre-quarantine maxes.”

You have a load of offers, are there any schools showing interest or have they all offered already?

“None anymore. Oklahoma was, but have not talked to them in a while.”

How many offers do you have?

“Twenty.”

Wilkins’ Offer Sheet (20): Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California, Duke, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Oregon State, San Jose State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Virginia, Washington, and Washington State

Going back to last season, which schools have you visited?

“Oregon State, ASU during the season, and after the season I went to Stanford and Cal; I have been to both schools twice now, and to their Junior Days. I also visited Nebraska at the end of January; that was a pretty cool visit. I also went to USC and checked out UCLA.”

Since you visited twice, how did the Stanford visits go overall?

“It went well. I pretty much saw everything; I have been there three times now. I was able to see everything, talked to some of the academic people about majors, and built good relationship with coaches. I have seen a game and a practice, and I have been able to hang out with the players. The visits have been good experiences.”

Same question but with the two visits to Cal.

“Cal went well. Again, I was able to build a good relationship with the coaches. One visit was an unexpected visit. I was at Stanford and a friend of mine committed to Cal. After he committed, I went there and hung out, and played Madden with the coaches. That was an unexpected but fun time.”

When the chance arises, which schools might you visit coming up?

“Depending on when they open things up, I would like to visit Michigan and Boston College. I had planned a visit to the Pacific Northwest, but that was cancelled. I’d like to visit UCLA, USC and go to Washington and Oregon.”

On May 5 you put out your Top 12 schools list of Cal, Oregon, Washington, Boston College, USC, Michigan, Northwestern, Stanford, UCLA, Oregon State, Virginia, and Nebraska. Does that list still stand as is or have you narrowed that down some?

“I will probably drop a Top 6 this week, on Tuesday or Wednesday.”

Do you have a commitment date in mind?

“I don’t have a day, but I’ve been thinking about doing it in August. Still trying to think of a good day to commit. It maybe in early August, I am not 100 percent sure.”

When the time comes to make that big decision, what factors will help you decide on the ideal next level fit for you?

“The two biggest things for me are a place where I will get a good degree with a good academic program and most importantly a place where I am comfortable and I fit in. I want to feel like they are my brothers and guys I will do anything for.”

Derek, thanks for your time today and good luck with the process of narrowing down your top schools.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Wilkins family; Derek Wilkins at Stanford and USC