Furman University

Furman: Combined a couple of promising outings last fall with solid work in spring practice to position himself as a solid candidate to secure the starting quarterback job vacated by the graduation of Cody Worley...strong student of the game....has a capable arm and is deceptively quick as a runner...completed 14-of-18 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns in Furman’s annual purple-white spring scrimmage in early April...scoring strikes both covered 15 yards to senior wide receiver Tyler Maples.  2010  — Began the season as Furman’s No. 3 quarterback but due to inconsistent play by starter Cody Worley and an early season ending shoulder injury to Chris Forcier, managed to secure enough quality playing time (including two starts) to display solid potential as a signal caller...in all saw action in six games...started the second half in a 56-14 rout of Howard, rushing nine times for 92 yards and two touchdowns....most effective performance came against Western Carolina (31-17 victory), against whom he completed 12-of-23 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 12 times for 71 yards...also earned a start versus Elon, rushing six times for 50 yards but completing just 4-of-11 passes for 30 yards.   2009 — Did not see any action.  2008 —Awarded redshirt and extra year of eligibility.

High School:  2008 graduate of Conway (4A) High School...football coach was Chuck Jordan...played quarterback...completed 366-of-571 pass attempts (64.0 percent) for Conway career record 4,882 yards and another career standard 49 touchdown in two seasons as starting signal caller...named 2007 Toast-of-the-Coast All-Area and All-Zone, South Carolina High School Sports Report All-State, and academic all-state after passing for 2,472 yards and 27 touchdowns...team went 9-3 and earned state playoff appearance...led Conway to a 13-2 record, region championship, and state runner-up finish in 2006, passing for 2,410 yards and 22 touchdowns...National Honor Society.

Personal:  Full name is Dakota Julius Derrick...son of Dirk and Michelle Derrick...born August 21, 1989, in Conway, South Carolina...has a brother, Peyton...grandfather, Julius Derrick, played tight end and defensive end at South Carolina, where he served as team captain in 1957...father played tight end at Wofford in the early 1980s...communications major.