Wake's road to the NFL is a story of perserverance. Starting in high school, then Derek Wake was a standout defensive player at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. He received a scholarship to play football at Penn State and finished his four years with moderate success. His athleticism was apparent at his pro day where he ran a 4.55 40 yard dash. Wake went undrafted but was signed by the New York Giants after the 2005 NFL Draft. Wake was released in June and thought his football career was over.
Advertisement
At the end of the 2008 CFL season, Wake received interest from several NFL teams, including the Dolphins, Rams, Saints, Bills and Vikings. On January 18, 2009, Wake signed with the Dolphins. As of 2014, Wake continues to strike fear with his speed and athleticism. He has amassed 50+ sacks in five seasons and 11 forced fumbles, leaving quarterbacks in his... wake?