Outlaw had a tremendous junior campaign at Starkville, as he accumulated 126 tackles
and 6 sacks. His performances on the field did not go unnoticed, as he was tabbed
the Defensive Player of the Year in District 1(5A) and 2nd Team All-State by the
MAC (coach's association).
Derrick camped at the University of Mississippi's Senior camp last month. We called
to see how his visit went.
The following information was revealed during our interview with Mr. Outlaw:
What is your current height, weight, and forty time? "I am right in-between
6' 2" to 6' 3". I am at 270 now. After the season, I was at 280, but
I have lost some of that weight back. At the Ole Miss camp, they timed me at a
5.2, but I usually run a 5.0 flat. I was big then (laugh). My weight fluctuates
so much."
Which position are you being recruited to play on the next level? "Mostly
defensive tackle but some (defensive) end."
What do you consider to be your strengths on the field? "I think I
am more of a run stopper than anything else. I pretty much hold my own. That is
my main thing."
What are you trying to work on to take your game to the next level? "I
just want to work on my overall strength, speed, and just my techniques. With
our new coach, and us having so many young players, I am going to need to work
on my leadership skills too."
Who is Starkville's new head coach? "Coach Lee. You know, he use to coach
us when we won State, and then he went to MS Gulf Coast CC. He is back now."
How long have you been starting for Starkville? "Since 2002."
What were your personal stats for the 2003 season? "Including the
playoffs, I had 126 tackles, 6 sacks, and a few fumble recoveries."
Which awards did you garner for your play? "I was our District's Defensive
MVP, and I also made 2nd Team All-State by the MAC."
Which schools have you camped at this summer? "Ole Miss is the only one
I have been too. I have been out of town so much, you know. I think I am going
to Mississippi State on the 24th or 25th, one of those days."
Which schools are showing you the most love? "Love, I got phone calls,
and I like these schools too. Lets see, Ole Miss called. Memphis called. Mississippi
State called. Southern Mississippi called and so did Auburn. Notre Dame called
too."
Who called you first? "Coach Hopson from Ole Miss."
Which coach has made the biggest impact with you so far? "Coach Hopson.
He really calls and cares about me. He comes to my practices, and I went to his
(football) camp. He just laid it out there for me. He told me what Ole Miss is
all about. I call him a lot too, so I know what he is all about. And Coach Knox
from Auburn, we talk a lot too. He is a good guy. The recruiting coordinator from
Mississippi State , I forget his name, but he calls too. I like him. And Derrick
Meeks from Southern Mississippi, their tight ends coach, he wants me for tight end. He is real
cool."
Any offers? "Actually, I only have one offer so far, and that is from
Notre Dame. But, you know, it is so far from home. And when I talked to their
head coach, he told me how hard it is to get in there. It would be really hard
for me to meet their grade standards, so they are probably not even an option."
What is your current grade status? "I am taking all of my core classes,
so I am OK there. I just need to pull up my GPA. I have about a 2.2 GPA right
now, so."
And your ACT test? "I took it in April, but I messed up my address,
so we have not gotten back my score yet. They sent me in something, saying I should
get my results within a week or two."
Which colleges are you looking at the hardest right now? "You know, I
like those SEC West schools, like Ole Miss, Mississippi State , and Auburn.. Memphis
and Southern Mississippi are up there too. I am really looking at who all they are recruiting and
bringing in. I am keeping a close eye on them."
When you say you are watching who they are recruiting and bringing in; what
exactly do you mean by that? "You know, who they already have at my position.
It really does not matter to me though, because I know I have to go in there and
work hard, no matter where I go."
What will be some other factors in your decision? "Location, you know,
I want my kins to see me play. And academics, I want a good business school to
go to. And just the overall feeling of their campus. How the coaching staff is
will be big too. I really like the Ole Miss staff. I really got to know them at
their camp. They are my kind of people."
What else attracts you to Ole Miss? "Right now, they are getting that
new facility. I was just impressed with how their coaches treated me, and how
their atmosphere is around there. I feel really comfortable up there. It is nice,
really nice. I really like it at Ole Miss."
What all do you like about Mississippi State? "Oh, you know, I know them like the back
of my hand. I do not know Coach Croom yet, but as far as their location, it is
right here. I know everything about Mississippi State but their coaching staff. They are one
of my top schools."
What are Auburn's positives? "Lately, they have been winning a lot.
There is just something about how they play defense. They are really aggressive,
like I like to play. I just love how they play defense."
And "Memphis? "Memphis, well, I have a lot of kins up there. And
when Travis (Outlaw) went on a bunch of visits there, I went with him. I got to
know their staff pretty good when I went on those visits. And I think Memphis
is on the rise. They went to a bowl last year and won it. If I went to school
there, I would know my way around town and on their campus, so it would not be
that big of a transition for me."
What are Southern Mississippi's positives? "Once again, location, it is close to home.
But when they called me, and told me they wanted me to play at tight end, that
did something for me. I can run and catch the ball, but I was like dang, how did
they know that. That showed me that they have really been watching me. Besides,
I keep up with the Mississippi schools religiously. I look at their message boards,
just keeping up with them."
Derrick carries a 2.2 GPA and is waiting on his results from his latest ACT test.
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