Derek Stingley Jr., drafted by the Houston Texans #3 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, has been under the microscope since he burst onto the scene in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the Dunham School as a 9th grader in 2015. Signing with LSU long before he got his driver's license, Derek is the rare athlete whose humility grew as his accolades mounted. As a leader on and off the field, it was natural for Derek to want to play college ball in front of his hometown friends and family as an LSU Tiger.
After one of the most incredible freshman seasons on record, which included a unanimous All-American slection and a National Championship, Derek seemed to be on a glide path toward the NFL.
Then COVID hit, upsetting and shortening his 2020 season, which saw opposing teams throw less than 25% as many balls his way as they did in 2019. In 2021, Derek tore the lisfranc in his foot, which ultimately led to a season-ending surgery to repair it (but only after he tried to play on it for three games).
Derek's journey, of late especially, has not been easy - but he has been surrounded by an incredibly supportive family, which includes his father Derek Sr, sister Sanaa and high school Coach Weiner -- all of whom share their voices in this definitive pre-draft look into the young man's story.
Mad Rabbit, the leader in tattoo aftercare has partnered with Derek to share his truth ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. As a brand Mad Rabbit looks to insire with stories of people who have chosen to BE BOLD, and Derek certainly fits that description.
Rookie Ink, Spilling Ink.
#LSU #NFLDraft #HoustonTexans