Derek Dennis

Dennis did not start playing football until his junior year at Peekskill High School in Peekskill, New York.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2012-01-21/sports/30650843_1_temple-football-dance-scholarship-sacrifices |title=Family and football play major roles in the life of Temple's Derek Dennis Jr. |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=January 21, 2012 |access-date=July 2, 2016 |author=Pompey, Keith |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703022511/http://articles.philly.com/2012-01-21/sports/30650843_1_temple-football-dance-scholarship-sacrifices |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }} He also helped the Peesksill basketball team win consecutive state titles in 2005 and 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.owlsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4643 |title=Derek Dennis - 2011 Football |publisher=owlsports.com |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703022346/http://www.owlsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4643 |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }} He then transferred to Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling, New York his senior year as they had a more established football program. Dennis played offensive guard, tight end and defensive end at Trinity-Pawling. He recorded 149 tackles, ten sacks, nine forced fumbles, four interceptions, eight receptions for 220 yards and 35 pancake blocks during his varsity career. He earned All-League, All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Section honors in football as well. Dennis averaged fifteen points and eleven rebounds per game in basketball. He graduated from Trinity-Pawling in 2007. He also spent time playing for the New York Gauchos AAU team.

Dennis played for the Temple Owls of Temple University from 2007 to 2011. He played in twelve games, starting ten, as a right guard his freshman year in 2007. He played in twelve games, starting six, in 2008. Dennis played in three games, with one start at right tackle, in 2009 before missing the remainder of the season and being redshirted due to a knee injury. He appeared in twelve games, starting two at right guard, one at left guard and four at left tackle, during the 2010 season. He started thirteen games at left guard his redshirt senior year in 2011. Dennis then played in the 2012 East–West Shrine Game. He graduated from Temple in August 2011 with a degree in journalism.{{cite web | url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=69609&DraftYear=2012 | title=Derek Dennis, DS #17 OG, Temple | publisher=DraftScout.com | access-date=July 2, 2016 }}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 3 1/8

| weight = 315

| dash = 5.30

| ten split = 1.94

| twenty split = 3.06

| shuttle = 4.85

| cone drill = 8.21

| vertical = 24.5

| broad ft = 8

| broad in = 5

| bench = 25

| note = All values from Temple's Pro Day

}}

Dennis was signed by the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL) on May 4, 2012 after going undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft. He was released by the team on July 26, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/derek-dennis-player-transactions |title=DEREK DENNIS |work=foxsports.com |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703023947/http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/derek-dennis-player-transactions |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }} His release from the Dolphins was shown on Hard Knocks.{{cite web|url=https://prointerviews.org/2013/01/25/derekdennis/ |title=We're Back! Bears Offensive Lineman, Derek Dennis Interview |publisher=prointerviews.org |date=January 25, 2013 |access-date=July 2, 2016 |author=Strauss, Max |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703025612/https://prointerviews.org/2013/01/25/derekdennis/ |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/112712aai.html |title=Once Bitten, Twice Shy, Dennis Thrives |publisher=arenafootball.com |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703025628/http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/112712aai.html |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-08-08/sports/sfl-hard-knocks-debute-080712_1_joe-philbin-ryan-tannehill-first-depth-chart |title=Miami Dolphins show their guts in HBO's Hard Knocks debut |publisher=Sun Sentinel |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=July 2, 2016 |author=Gould, Izzy |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703025721/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-08-08/sports/sfl-hard-knocks-debute-080712_1_joe-philbin-ryan-tannehill-first-depth-chart |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/miami-dolphins-joe-philbin-has-no-regrets-after-hard-knocks-0ap1000000057980 |title=Miami Dolphins' Joe Philbin has no regrets after 'Hard Knocks' |work=NFL.com |date=September 4, 2012 |access-date=July 2, 2016 |author=Breer, Albert |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703025816/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000057980/article/miami-dolphins-joe-philbin-has-no-regrets-after-hard-knocks |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }}

Dennis signed with the NFL's New England Patriots on August 2, 2012. He was released by the Patriots on August 31, 2012.

Dennis was assigned to the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League (AFL) on November 6, 2012. He was exempted on November 29, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=21 |title=Historical Team Transactions |publisher=arenafan.com |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703030613/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=21 |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }} He was activated from Other League Exempt on April 7, 2015 and played for the team during the 2015 season, catching three passes for sixteen yards.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=12569 | title=Derek Dennis | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=July 2, 2016}} Dennis was placed on Other League Exempt on October 22, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/Arizona_Rattlers-21/transactions/ |title=Team Transactions |publisher=arenafan.com |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703030909/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/Arizona_Rattlers-21/transactions/ |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }}

On November 27, 2012, Dennis was signed to the practice squad of the Chicago Bears' of the NFL. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on December 31, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-news-rumors-monday-1231/ |title=NFL News & Rumors: Monday 12/31 |publisher=nfltraderumors.co |date=December 31, 2012 |access-date=July 2, 2016 |author=Bouda, Nate |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703024401/http://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-news-rumors-monday-1231/ |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }} He was released by the team on August 30, 2013. Dennis was signed to the Bears' practice squad on September 4 and released by the team on September 9, 2013.

Dennis signed with the NFL's Carolina Panthers on January 4, 2014. He was released by the Panthers on August 30, 2014. He was signed to the team's practice squad on September 10, 2014. Dennis signed a futures contract with the Panthers on January 13, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.kffl.com/player/26115/nfl/news/derek-dennis |title=Derek Dennis |publisher=kffl.com |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703023954/http://www.kffl.com/player/26115/nfl/news/derek-dennis |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }} He was released by the Panthers on April 4, 2015.

On September 21, 2015, Dennis was signed to the practice roster of the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/transactions-2015/ |title=TRANSACTIONS – 2015 |publisher=cfl.ca |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703024626/http://www.cfl.ca/transactions-2015/ |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.stampeders.com/players/derek-dennis/399212/ |title=DEREK DENNIS |publisher=stampeders.com |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703024940/http://www.stampeders.com/players/derek-dennis/399212/ |archive-date=July 3, 2016 }} He was promoted to the active roster on October 1. He made his CFL debut on October 2, 2015 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Dennis played in five games, all starts, at left tackle for the team during the 2015 regular season. He also started both of the Stampeders' playoff games at left tackle.

2016 was a breakout season for Dennis. He started all 18 regular-season games, 15 starts at left tackle, two at left guard and one at right guard. He was an integral part of a Stampeder unit that allowed the fewest sacks in the CFL in 2016 with 20 (11 fewer than the second-best team in that category) and also helped tailback Jerome Messam run for a league-leading 1,198 yards. Because of his accomplishments he was the winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award.{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/cfl/calgary-stampeders/stampeders-derek-dennis-perseveres-earns-top-lineman-nod|title = Stampeders' Derek Dennis perseveres, earns top lineman nod}}

On February 14, 2017, Dennis was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. After playing just one season with the team, Dennis was released by the Roughriders on February 13, 2018.

Three days after his release from the Roughriders, Dennis re-signed with the Stampeders on February 16, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/cfl/calgary-stampeders/derek-dennis-returns-to-stampeders/wcm/f4f9dfb6-da60-4b02-ac52-3a28060bb151|title=Derek Dennis returns to Stampeders|publisher=calgaryherald.com|date=February 16, 2018}} He started all 18 regular season games and two post-season games for the Stampeders at left tackle and finished the season as a member of the 106th Grey Cup championship team. In 2019 Dennis started 16 game's for the Stampeders, 14 at LT and 2 at RT, and was named a West Division All-Star for a third time in his career. Dennis was not re-signed by the Stampeders following the 2019 season and became a free agent on February 11, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2020/02/13/still-top-20-free-agents-still-grabs/|title=Still Out There: Top 20 free agents still up for grabs|date=2020-02-13|website=CFL.ca|language=en|access-date=2020-02-13}}

On February 18, 2020, one week after becoming a free agent, Dennis signed with the XFL as a member of the XFL's Team 9 practice squad.{{Cite web|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfls-team-nine-signs-cfl-all-star-ot-derek-dennis/|title=XFL's Team Nine Signs CFL All-Star OT Derek Dennis|last=Nagashima|first=Matthew|date=18 February 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-19}} He signed with the New York Guardians on February 25, 2020.{{cite news |title=Former Stamps OT Dennis joins XFL's Guardians |url=https://www.tsn.ca/former-calgary-stampeders-ot-derek-dennis-joins-xfl-s-new-york-guardians-1.1448903 |website=TSN.ca |date=February 26, 2020 |access-date=February 26, 2020}} He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.{{cite news |author=Condotta, Bob |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}

Dennis signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Football Team on January 7, 2021.{{cite news |title=EE Football Team signs former CFL Most Outstanding Lineman Derek Dennis |url=https://www.esks.com/2021/01/07/ee-football-team-signs-former-cfl-outstanding-lineman-derek-dennis/ |website=Esks.com |date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2021}} He chose not to play in the 2021 season for personal reasons,{{cite news |title=Derek Dennis announces he will not play in 2021 |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2021/06/22/derek-dennis-announces-will-not-play-2021/ |website=CFL.ca |date=June 22, 2021 |access-date=June 23, 2021}} and the Elks placed him on the retired list on June 23, 2021.{{cite news |title=Transactions: Elks sign three. Add three to the retired list |url=https://www.goelks.com/2021/06/23/transactions-elks-sign-three-add-three-retired-list/ |website=GoElks.com |date=June 23, 2021 |access-date=June 23, 2021}} On July 19, Dennis requested to be released by the Elks, implying that he is not retired and would like to play elsewhere in 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-19|title=Dave Naylor: Elks tackle Dennis seeks release or trade - TSN.ca|url=https://www.tsn.ca/dave-naylor-elks-tackle-dennis-seeks-release-or-trade-1.1670025|access-date=2021-07-20|website=TSN|language=en}} After former Elks general manager, Brock Sunderland, was fired and Chris Jones replaced him, Dennis was finally granted a release from his contract on December 28, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.goelks.com/2021/12/28/transactions-elks-trim-roster/ |title=Transactions {{!}} Elks trim roster |publisher=Edmonton Elks |date=December 28, 2021}}

On January 12, 2022, it was announced that Dennis had signed with the Stampeders.{{cite web|url=https://www.stampeders.com/2022/01/12/dennis-returns-calgary/ |title=Dennis returns to Calgary |publisher=Calgary Stampeders |date=January 12, 2022}} On September 24, 2022 Dennis was carted off the field with a leg injury.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2022-09-24 |title=Stampeders OL Dennis carted off with leg injury - TSN.ca |url=https://www.tsn.ca/calgary-stampeders-derek-dennis-carted-off-with-leg-injury-1.1853393 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=TSN |language=en}} Two days later it was announced he would miss the remainder of the season with a cracked fibula, which would require surgery.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2022-09-26 |title=Stampeders OL Dennis (fibula) to miss remainder of season - TSN.ca |url=https://www.tsn.ca/calgary-stampeders-derek-dennis-out-for-season-1.1854047 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=TSN |language=en}} Dennis had played in 14 games for the Stamps during the 2022 season. Following the season he was named a CFL All-Star for the second time in his career.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-15 |title=Stars Aligned: 2022 CFL All-Stars announced |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2022/11/15/stars-aligned-2022-cfl-all-stars-announced/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}} On January 30, 2023, Dennis and the Stamps agreed on a one-year contract extension.{{Cite web |author=3Down Staff |date=2023-01-30 |title=Bonecrusher returns: Derek Dennis re-signs with Calgary Stampeders |url=https://3downnation.com/2023/01/30/bonecrusher-returns-derek-dennis-re-signs-with-calgary-stampeders/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=3DownNation |language=en-US}} However, following the 2023 preseason, he was released on June 3, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.stampeders.com/2023/06/03/stamps-deadline-transactions/ |title=Stamps deadline transactions |publisher=Calgary Stampeders |date=June 3, 2023}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://www.stampeders.com/players/derek-dennis/161811/ Calgary Stampeders bio]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20161003180303/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-dennis-1.html College stats]

{{106th Grey Cup}}

{{CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dennis, Derek}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football offensive linemen

Category:Players of Canadian football from Queens, New York

Category:Arizona Rattlers players

Category:Calgary Stampeders players

Category:Carolina Panthers players

Category:Canadian football offensive linemen

Category:Chicago Bears players

Category:Miami Dolphins players

Category:New England Patriots players

Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players

Category:Players of American football from Queens, New York

Category:Temple Owls football players

Category:Team 9 players

Category:New York Guardians players

Category:Edmonton Elks players