Derek Stingley Jr. — People to Watch 2019

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Title: Student and cornerback
Age: 17
Hometown: Baton Rouge

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Derek Stingley Jr. could have gone anywhere. He’s a standout cornerback at the Dunham School, and, according to Rivals.com, he’s the top-rated overall football recruit in the country. He’s also the grandson of former New England Patriot Darryl Stingley and the son of Arena Football player and coach Derek Stingley Sr. He was recently named the 2018-2019 Gatorade Louisiana Football Player of the Year and was one of three finalists for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.

So, it’s safe to say Stingley Jr. had his pick of football programs to choose from—Alabama, Texas, USC, Florida, Texas A&M and countless others. But last June, he committed to LSU. Turns out, home is where his heart is.

“I started to think about just playing in an environment where I can make a play on the field and just so happen to look up in the stands and see people that I know, like family or friends,” he says. “That’s the main part of why I chose LSU.”

He looks up to LSU greats like cornerback Patrick Peterson, now a corner for the Arizona Cardinals.

The Dunham School senior opted to finish up his schooling in early winter so he can start attending LSU in the spring and begin work on both classes and his craft.

Like his idol Peterson, he has NFL dreams—and it’s a good bet he’ll make them come true.

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CHATTING WITH STINGLEY

Your spirit animal: Lion

Your personal motto is: Never give up.

Hidden talent: I used to play the trumpet.

Something you hope to accomplish in 2019: Starting position at LSU

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Click here to read about the rest of our People to Watch in 2019.

This article was originally published in the January 2019 issue of 225 Magazine.