The Cardinal Countdown: 91 Days Until Kickoff

#91 Derek Dorsey

Class: RS Junior

Ht/Wt: 6-3/286

Position: Defensive Line

Hometown: Louisville, KY (Product of Manual High School)

Twitter: @DerekTDorsey

Thoughts: Derek Dorsey is a dang good football player. I mentioned this in passing last year on this very countdown but I feel it bears repeating again. Often times, when a local kid stays home who maybe isn’t known as a national prospect the general fan-base will label him as a ‘Rudy’ or a feel good story. This is not the case with Dorsey. Dorsey had multiple other D-I offers and performed at an all-state level the majority of his high school career. Dorsey stuck with his hometown team and came in with an opportunity to learn under a redshirt season. Since that time Dorsey had performed beyond the expectations of many, including myself. Two years ago as a freshman he got some reps and performed well when asked, then last season he played in all twelve games, actually got the start in eight of them, and ended up with a career high 22 tackles, a couple QB hurries, and sack against Kentucky in the final game.

There was some discussion last year about playing Dorsey on the interior of the line when they decided to move him up front but the overwhelming majority, if not all, of his snaps came with him on the end. From what I saw when I went back and watched him he had a good first step and a strong upper body that could move the offensive lineman around. His first start of his career against Indiana State Dorsey he consistently got a good push up front and had his man backpedaling rather than holding his ground. In the clip below you’ll see two plays were Dorsey gets a great push, and creates disruption. The first play results in a tackle for a loss (he’s at top of the line) and the second play (he’s at the bottom of the line) his right arm is held preventing him from hitting the ball carrier behind the line, but once he is released; he tracks down the ball and assists with the tackle, forcing the punt.

(Start video @ 19:23, because after 37 attempts the damn video embed isn’t working. I’m not frustrated by it or anything though, not at all)

Dorsey was a Top 10 player in the state of Kentucky as a Senior and has been a little overlooked in my opinion since arriving on campus. If Derek doesn’t earn one of the starting defensive end spots he most certainly will be a consistent contributor on Coach Brown’s defensive team. He has shown me that he can perform at an ACC level and I’m sure the staff has seen some of his raw ability as well. Looking forward to what another year in the weight room and some solid coaching can do for Dorsey.

Sweet Tweet:

Saw this flick for the first time just a month or so ago. It was legit terrifying in some parts. Maybe I’m getting old or something but am I the only one? That movie was scary, right? Too many PG movies with the kids? Please don’t tell me I have to turn in my scary movie viewer card before I hit 40.