Derek Wilkins
Derek Wilkins
Controls the point of attack and doesn't move. This is his fourth year in the same defensive front at California. The receipt on tape: 3 tackles against Hawai'i, Bowl, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- seasons on the roster
- game log
Career Arc
Coaching Lineage · 2021–2025
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Justin Wilcox.
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Tosh Lupoi
Awards
Player Standing · 17 rungs
Tier 1 · 2-deepR03 · Backup
Spot duty on defense. Tackle volume for the position at the early end of the ladder.
Career stats
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | California | 12 | 5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8 | -- | -- |
| 2024 | California | 12 | 5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2023 | California | 8 | 4 | 2.0 | 1.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2021 | California | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Career | 34 | 15 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 8 | -- | -- |
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 14 · 2025
W 38–35
vs SMU
1 TOT · 1 SOLO
Edged out SMU at home in a shootout.
How he plays
Play style
The heaviest frame on the interior. Sack production is intentionally not the point of this profile.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
California
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive line · California
Returning around him
- 1 California player drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -4 net (32 in / 36 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
California · Last season: 7-6 · Talent rank #36 · 2026 recruiting class #56
DNA match
Player DNA
Nose Anchor
The heaviest frame on the interior. Sack production is intentionally not the point of this profile.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Kevin Hester Jr.’s 2023 season.
Matches Kevin on
Differs from Kevin on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a senior, his production profile tracks closest to Asani Redwood's senior season at West Virginia (2025).
Matches Asani on
Differs from Asani on