Derrick Deese Jr. Explained

Derrick Deese Jr.
Current Team:Michigan Panthers
Number:82
Position:Tight end
Birth Date:19 August 1998
Birth Place:La Palma, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lbs:235
College:Golden West (2016–2018)
San Jose State (2018–2021)
Undraftedyear:2022
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Pfr:DeesDe00

Derrick Deese Jr. (born August 19, 1998)[1] is an American football tight end for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at San Jose State. He went undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft and was subsequently picked up by the Detroit Lions.

Early life

Deese was born on August 19, 1998, in La Palma, California.[1] He played high school football at John F. Kennedy High School. He was a two-star recruit.[2] He recorded 431 receiving yards on 25 receptions as a senior.[3]

College career

Golden West College

Deese's first touchdown in the college ranks came in the first week of the season against Glendale. He registered a 36-yard touchdown reception, his one and only reception of the game in the 33–0 win.[4] That would be Deese's only touchdown reception of the year as he finished with 155 receiving yards in six games.[5]

In his sophomore year in 2017, Deese recorded his first touchdown reception of the season against Cerritos. He brought in four receptions for 31 yards and one touchdown in the 23–36 loss.[6] On September 30, he recorded his first 100-yard receiving game of his career against Long Beach. He put up 111 yards on five receptions and one touchdown in the 24–52 loss.[7]

Professional career

Detroit Lions

Deese went undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft. He was signed by the Detroit Lions on April 30.[8] However he was released by the Lions during their final offseason roster cutdown.[9] He would remain a free agent until he was scooped up by the Lions again on January 11, 2023. He signed a futures contract with the team.[10] [11] He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on July 20, 2023.[12] Deese was waived by the Detroit Lions on August 2, 2023.[13]

Houston Roughnecks

On January 19, 2024, Deese signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL).[14]

Michigan Panthers

On February 15, 2024, Deese signed with the Michigan Panthers.[15]

Personal life

Deese is the son of former Super Bowl XXIX champion offensive lineman Derrick Deese.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Derrick Deese Jr. Biography. February 13, 2023. espn.com.
  2. Web site: Derrick Deese Jr., John F. Kennedy, Tight End. February 13, 2023. 247sports.com.
  3. Web site: Derrick Deese Jr. - Football - SJSU Athletics. February 13, 2023. sjsuspartants.com. February 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230213124629/https://sjsuspartans.com/sports/football/roster/derrick-deese--jr-/5603. dead.
  4. Web site: GOLDEN WEST at GLENDALE - September 3, 2016 - 6:00p.m. - Boxscore. September 3, 2016. February 13, 2023. gwcathletics.com.
  5. Web site: Derrick Deese - Golden West College Athletics.
  6. Web site: Golden West at Cerritos Falcons - September 23, 2017 - 7:00p.m. - Boxscore. September 23, 2017. February 13, 2023. gwcathletics.com.
  7. Web site: Long Beach at Golden West - September 30, 2017 - 1:00 PM - Boxscore. gwcathletics.com. September 30, 2017. February 13, 2023.
  8. Web site: TE Derrick Deese Jr. signs with Detroit Lions. April 30, 2022. February 13, 2023. detroitsportsnation.com.
  9. Web site: Lions release rookie TE Derrick Deese from the practice squad. September 6, 2022. February 13, 2023. lionswire.usatoday.com.
  10. Web site: Lions sign TE Derrick Deese Jr. to reserve/future contract. January 11, 2023. February 13, 2023. lionswire.usatoday.com.
  11. Web site: Lions' Derrick Deese: Inks futures deal . CBS Sports . 11 January 2023 . 14 March 2023.
  12. Web site: Detroit Lions place rookie QB Hendon Hooker, two others on non-football injury list. Crawford, Kirkland. Freep.com. July 20, 2023.
  13. Web site: Lions officially sign 2 tight ends, place Emmanuel Moseleley on PUP.
  14. News: The UFL Agree to Terms with 42 Players . UFLBoard.com . January 19, 2024 . January 20, 2024.
  15. Web site: Larsen . James . 2024-02-15 . Michigan Panthers Add TE Derrick Deese Jr. & OL Denzel Okafor . 2024-02-15 . Pro Football Newsroom . en-US.
  16. News: delos Santos. Justice. Championship pedigree: Two SJSU standouts share 49ers Super Bowl bloodlines. The Mercury News. November 25, 2020. December 23, 2020.