By Cord Rankin

Derrick Canteen UC Bearcats Strong Safety News Conference On team’s loss to Pittsburgh 28-27 9 7 2024.mp3

THE DERRICK CANTEEN FILE

PRIOR TO COLLEGE: Played at Evans High for Coach Lemuel Lackey..Ranked as the No. 268 cornerback in the country and the No. 207 player in Georgia by 247Sports…A first-team all-region selection and the Athlete of the Year for the 3-AAAAAA region…Named the county’s defensive player of the year…Tallied 61 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups as a senior on defense to go along with 14 catches for 473 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 43 yards per catch…Selected for the Sixth Annual Border Bowl…Helped lead his team to a regional title as a junior…Had four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, 14 pass breakups, a fumble recovery and 46 tackles as a junior…Was a dual enrollment student at Georgia Military College for three years.

2019-22 (GEORGIA SOUTHERN): Earned All-Sun Belt honors in 2020 and 2022…2020 Freshman All-American (FWAA, The Athletic)…Played in 29 games in his career at Georgia Southern, making 25 starts, while accumulating 117 tackles, 21 pass breakups, and seven interceptions…Tied for FBS lead and set school record with six interceptions in 2020…Also had 48 tackles in 2020 while starting all 13 games…Played in two games in 2021 before suffering season-ending injury…Started 10 games in 2022, making 64 tackles and leading the team with 12 pass breakups.

2023 (VIRGINIA TECH): Played in all 13 games, making three starts…Helped VT defense rank among the nation’s best in first downs allowed (220, 18th)…passing defense (168.8, 4th), and tackles for loss (7.2/game, 13th…Recorded 43 tackles and two tackles for loss…Tallied one interception and five pass breakups…Season-best nine tackles  at Louisville (Nov. 4).

INFORMATION COURTESY UC SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS