Evans High School product takes aim at the NFL Draft
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Just over five years ago, Derek Canteen wrapped up his senior season right here at Evans High School, which is where he signed his letter of intent to play college football, and it’s where he’ll be when he hears his name called in the NFL draft.
“This step is like the biggest step. You know, ever since I was a kid, all the dreams I had, all the wishes I had was to make it to the NFL,” said Canteen.
Since leaving Evans, Canteen has heard his name called across the Sun Belt, the ACC and the Big 12.
The defensive back declared for the NFL draft in December after wrapping up his season with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
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Spending time training in Canton, Georgia, then the Big 12 pro day at the star in Texas, and a workout with the Bengals, causes anticipation for April to build.
“You get nervous, things like that. But honestly, it’s really just excitement,” said Canteen.
I feel like, for me, how I control all that, how I cope with all that, I just work, just put my head down, and just keep working. Just go day to day. And, again, my agents do a great job of communicating with me. I believe in the higher power has my best interest,” said Canteen.
It’s about perspective.
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“I kind of look for long-term, big-picture thinking. I look at the type of defenses teams run, things like that. When I do talk to coaches, I’m very big on the relationship and just having a good feel for them,” said Canteen.
Until his name is called, he’ll watch and wait to be who he always wanted to be, an NFL player.
“I just think of like when I was a kid and just watching those guys on TV and visualizing myself playing in that arena,” said Canteen.
We don’t want him to feel like, oh, you’re big time or anything like that. So as far as us, we try to keep it like, you’re still the younger brother. You’re still the son. For this to become the forefront for him has been really amazing. It can be overwhelming just because I’m like, wow, this is his reality, and it’s like we’re about to go into the next step of his life. So it’s been really good to witness that,” said Alayah Canteen, Derrick’s sister.
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