Derrick Saulsberry

Class:
Senior
Hometown:
St. Mary's, Ga.
Position:
Defensive Lineman
Height:
6-3
Weight:
250
High School:
Camden County
Major:
History

AT DELAWARE
Fifth-year senior who returns as one of the top defensive ends in the Colonial Athletic Association • named to the CFPA Pre-Season Watch List as one of the top defensive ends in the nation at the FCS level • one of six Blue Hens returning with experience on the defensive front • will take over full-time starting spot at left end and forms outstanding end duo with senior Laith Wallschleger • has overcome an injury-plagued career • dynamic, charismatic player who is a dominant pass rusher • has great athleticism and quickness • three-year letterwinner • has appeared in 29 career games with seven starts and owns 55 tackles (27 solo stops) • team’s active leader in sacks (8 for 45 yards) and tackles for loss (15 for 70 yards) • tied with Towson’s Ryan Delaire as the CAA’s top returning statistical leader in tackles for loss • also has one forced fumble and one pass deflection in his career • had four tackles for loss in Blue-White Spring Game.

2013 SEASON
Enjoyed a breakout season on Delaware defensive line and was one of the team’s biggest surprises • was a dominating force at times from his defensive end position • had his most productive season after an injury-filled career • played in all 12 games and started seven contests, taking over the starting nod when Wallschleger went down with an injury at mid-season vs. James Madison • ranked seventh on the team in tackles with 48 (23 solo stops) and led the team with 14 tackles for loss (69 yards) and eight sacks (45 yards) • also contributed a pass breakup, forced a fumble, and blocked a kick • ranked No. 3 in the CAA in tackles for loss (14), No. 5 in sacks (eight were most by a UD player since 2007), and was No. 11 in tackles among defensive linemen (4.0 per game) • had career-high seven tackles each vs. James Madison and William & Mary • named Blue Hen Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Week vs. James Madison when he had seven tackles, including 2.5 sacks for losses of 12 yards • also had six stops vs. Towson, five vs. Albany, and four each against Wagner, Maine (his first career start), and Richmond • had at least one tackle for loss in every game but Richmond • had career-high three tackles for loss vs. Villanova, 2.5 against JMU, and two vs. William & Mary • recorded 2.5 sacks against JMU, two vs. Villanova, and one each against Delaware State, Wagner, Albany, Towson, and William & Mary • forced a fumble vs. Jacksonville and blocked an extra point vs. Maine that resulted in a two-point defensive conversion for Blue Hens • enjoyed an outstanding spring and was named the Blue Hen Touchdown Club Most Improved Defensive Player • recorded three tackles in Blue-White Spring Game.

2012 SEASON
Earned second career letter as a key member of the Blue Hen defensive front • played as a backup end throughout the season and also saw action on special teams • played in 10 games and registered five tackles, including three solo stops • also had one tackle for loss • matched career-high with two tackles vs. Richmond • also had single tackles vs. West Chester, Maine, and Rhode Island • missed game vs. Old Dominion • had tackle for loss against West Chester • team ranked No. 2 in the CAA in rushing defense (134.2 yards per game) • earned one of three UD Strength & Conditioning Hair on Fire Awards for 2011-12 for showing the most intensity in drills.

2011 SEASON
Saw first action for Blue Hens as a backup defensive end • appeared in seven games to earn first letter • made two total tackles, including one solo stop against Navy and an unassisted tackle vs. Rhode Island.

2010 SEASON
Did not see game action and retained freshman eligibility • suffered leg injury in pre-season drills and was hampered by injury for most of the season • team went 12-3 and advanced to the FCS national title game.

HIGH SCHOOL
Played defensive end and tight end for head coach Jeff Herron at Camden Country High School • led team to perfect 15-0 mark as a junior when team won state title, captured the regional title, and was ranked No. 3 in the nation • as a senior, led team to 13-2 record, state and regional titles, and a No. 5 national ranking • earned first team all-region honors as a senior • honorable All-State selection as a senior • posted 73 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, five fumble recoveries, seven forced fumbles, two touchdowns, and eight quarterback sacks as a senior • attended same high school as Blue Hen junior defensive linemen Josh Plummer and Vince Hollerman.

PERSONAL
Derrick James Saulsberry Jr. • born May 24, 1992 • son of Shelly Ortiz and Derrick Saulsberry, Sr. • history major at Delaware.

CAREER STATISTICS

Year	G/S	Tackles (Solo)	Sacks/TFL	FR/FF	Int./PD
2014	12/11	49(28)	7.0-63/13.5-80	0/0	0/2
2013	12/7	48 (23)	8-45/14-69	0/1	0/1
2012	10/0	5 (3)	0/1-1	0/0	0/0
2011	7/0	2 (1)	0/0	0/0	0/0
TOTALS	41/18	104 (55)	15-108/28.5-150	0/1	0/3