c/o 2021, Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
High-end composite 3 star, but 4 star at 247 with an almost certain rise to composite 4 star
Derek chooses Cal over ‘furd and UCLA, plus 17 others including USC, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, and Nebraska. Derek plays on Santa Margarita, which is the doormat of the uber-competitive Trinity League in California’s Southern Section Division 1. SMHS has to play top-shelf competition like Bosco, Mater Dei, Servite, and JSerra… oh, and Orange Lutheran. But even doormats in very good leagues have great players. SMHS has Wilkins and had Peter Costelli (4* QB Utah’s prize commit) until he transferred to Mission Viejo.
He said he wanted to stay close to home, so California was where he focused. High grades, good character, loves his mom – a Cal man if there ever was one.
As an early bloomer, he grew to 6’5” 240 lbs as a high school sophomore. He was good enough to be a starter for most of the year as a sophomore, but did not stand out. His sophomore tape is one trick-pony stuff of him bull-rushing a gap.
Derek gained only gaining 10 pounds over the next year, but he made monumental leaps in power. And you can see as he gains some new tricks. http://www.hudl.com/v/2CX5st
Derek is quick at the get off with superb leg power at the point of engagement. He’s got a super motor, very good quickness, and plus-level lateral movement to really be special at attacking a gap – which means he’s an A+ pass rusher. Seriously exciting good at pass rush. He also show good run defense in his read/react/shed play, with good pursuit to chase down runners, and nice quickness for his size. Derek was third on the team in tackles despite playing DE and had a whopping 15 TFL. I have already told the joke that he won’t need a dorm because he’ll live in the backfield.
He’s got a big frame, so depending on how he responds to S&C, he could bulk up significantly to be a DT or a DE. He needs to develop upper body and functional strength as evidenced by his declarations of 225 clean and 255 bench. And he’s been very successful on a limited amount of moves, but the new stuff he learns will make him that much more dangerous. But Coach Browning likes versatile guys who can play anywhere along the trench. He’s a special recruit.
It’s interesting to see the rock-paper-scissor evolution of frontline personnel strategies in recruiting. From bigger/nastier/meaner approach, to quicker/lighter/faster speed rush to counter spread attacks, back toward the big/nasty/fast defenders who limit the time a QB/offense has to develop - like modern NFL defenses. Derek Wilkins, Akili Calhoun, Moses Oladejo, Myles Williams, and Patrick Histake are going to be a gang of beasts – all tall, strong, and athletic – with Wilkins being, IMO, the best of the crop. Now we have the personnel to counter the offensive lines that Washington, Oregon, Utah, USC, and Stanfurd consistently put together. I’m not typically a sunshine pumper, but I see sunny days ahead, baby. Welcome to UC Berkeley, Derek. Go Bears!
4 Star DEFENSIVE player, is that a first for the class? I don't really follow too much but it seems most of the highly rated players are on the other side of the ball. Wilcox & Co turning up the heat on the other schools!
Derek Wilkins
6’5” 250 lbs (self-declared). DE/DT
c/o 2021, Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
High-end composite 3 star, but 4 star at 247 with an almost certain rise to composite 4 star
Derek chooses Cal over ‘furd and UCLA, plus 17 others including USC, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, and Nebraska. Derek plays on Santa Margarita, which is the doormat of the uber-competitive Trinity League in California’s Southern Section Division 1. SMHS has to play top-shelf competition like Bosco, Mater Dei, Servite, and JSerra… oh, and Orange Lutheran. But even doormats in very good leagues have great players. SMHS has Wilkins and had Peter Costelli (4* QB Utah’s prize commit) until he transferred to Mission Viejo.
He said he wanted to stay close to home, so California was where he focused. High grades, good character, loves his mom – a Cal man if there ever was one.
Derek was an early bloomer, being ridiculously tall as a freshman. If you are the sadistic type like me who enjoys watching a man-child beat up adolescents, watch Derek abuse his opponents in his freshman highlights (https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/derek-wilkins/WDPWB8V5EeeT-Oz0u-e-FA/videos.htm?videoid=78e5461b-dcaa-4d81-890c-65be751e64b1). Heck, he even played outside WR as a freshman.
As an early bloomer, he grew to 6’5” 240 lbs as a high school sophomore. He was good enough to be a starter for most of the year as a sophomore, but did not stand out. His sophomore tape is one trick-pony stuff of him bull-rushing a gap.
Derek gained only gaining 10 pounds over the next year, but he made monumental leaps in power. And you can see as he gains some new tricks. http://www.hudl.com/v/2CX5st
Derek is quick at the get off with superb leg power at the point of engagement. He’s got a super motor, very good quickness, and plus-level lateral movement to really be special at attacking a gap – which means he’s an A+ pass rusher. Seriously exciting good at pass rush. He also show good run defense in his read/react/shed play, with good pursuit to chase down runners, and nice quickness for his size. Derek was third on the team in tackles despite playing DE and had a whopping 15 TFL. I have already told the joke that he won’t need a dorm because he’ll live in the backfield.
He’s got a big frame, so depending on how he responds to S&C, he could bulk up significantly to be a DT or a DE. He needs to develop upper body and functional strength as evidenced by his declarations of 225 clean and 255 bench. And he’s been very successful on a limited amount of moves, but the new stuff he learns will make him that much more dangerous. But Coach Browning likes versatile guys who can play anywhere along the trench. He’s a special recruit.
It’s interesting to see the rock-paper-scissor evolution of frontline personnel strategies in recruiting. From bigger/nastier/meaner approach, to quicker/lighter/faster speed rush to counter spread attacks, back toward the big/nasty/fast defenders who limit the time a QB/offense has to develop - like modern NFL defenses. Derek Wilkins, Akili Calhoun, Moses Oladejo, Myles Williams, and Patrick Histake are going to be a gang of beasts – all tall, strong, and athletic – with Wilkins being, IMO, the best of the crop. Now we have the personnel to counter the offensive lines that Washington, Oregon, Utah, USC, and Stanfurd consistently put together. I’m not typically a sunshine pumper, but I see sunny days ahead, baby. Welcome to UC Berkeley, Derek. Go Bears!
Very nice! On a side note, I got my first job in RSM.
Our staff beat out a LOT of top schools!!! This feels REALLY good!
You’re going to LOVE Cal, Derek. Congratulations!!!!
Things are getting real!
Doom!
Pundit: Cal a Top-15 Caliber Team: (if there is a season)
https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/cal-top-15-caliber-team
4 Star DEFENSIVE player, is that a first for the class? I don't really follow too much but it seems most of the highly rated players are on the other side of the ball. Wilcox & Co turning up the heat on the other schools!
Go 🐻🐻🐻!!!
Love that he's a 4*, LOVE that he's got a 4.0 GPA. Golden Bears excellent on the field and in the classroom.
Great news!!! Welcome to Cal, Derek!!! Likely one of the best decisions of your life!
Welcome Derek, been waiting for your commitment! Glad to have it! (VERY) Cal is now ranked #22 in the nation for the 2021 class btw.
6’4 245 lb Akili Calhoun on one side, 6’4 250 lb Derek Wilkins on the other. This class is just nasty.
Awesome get for Wilcox & Co. !!!
Right on!! Welcome to California Derek!!
Whohooooo another FOUR STAR?!?!!!! Let’s gooooo keep building up this program Wilcox! You the best!