Changing Shades
There are over one million high school football players in America. After their
high school career only 6.5% of all players continue to play in college. After earning league honors, 4-star status, and amassing 20 offers during the recruiting process, senior Derek Wilkins has joined the short list of players to make the transition with his recent commitment to the University of California, Berkley (Cal).
Wilkins had offers from elite programs such as Nebraska, Washington, and UCLA, among others. Cal stood out throughout the entire process.
“Cal just always treated me like family, and for me the combination of the academics and a great program was too much to give up. Academics was biggest, [a Cal] degree is like no other, ” Wilkins said.
Wilkins will be the first one to mention all the people who have helped him throughout the process, like his coaches and teammates, but Wilkins insists his mom deserves the most praise.
My mom would definitely be the one who deserves the most credit, for raising me the way she did, but there are so many people that helped me get to this point, I could go on forever,” said Wilkins”.
Wilkins joins a Cal class ranked 21st in the nation. Wilkins has high expectations for his team and himself.
“I’m hoping we can win a Pac-12 championship, I can graduate with a great degree, and become an NFL prospect and player,” said Wilkins.
