Derek Rivers is a 2012 Fork Union Military Academy graduate and was a member of the Post Graduate football team. The defensive lineman earned a scholarship to Youngstown State where he was a two-time All-American and three-time first-team All-MCFC selection. Rivers holds career records at YSU in sacks and ranks in the top five in FCS history. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
 
Get to know Rivers:
 
How did you end up at Fork Union Military Academy?
My dad is a Virginia Tech graduate and is good friends with the defensive line coach there, Coach Charley Wiles. Coach Wiles recommended Fork Union to my dad during my recruitment, so we looked into the school and came to a combine in the spring of my senior year of high school. And that's how it all started. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Praise God.
 
What was your feeling when you first stepped on campus?
Haha. I am not going to lie, in the winter it looked kind of like a prison. But when I came to the workout in the spring, I felt like it was exactly what I needed. Like I said, praise God, because it was the best decision that the Lord has led me to.
 
Has Fork Union impacted your life in anyway?
Fork Union definitely got me college ready. It gave me the exposure I needed to play at the next level. The coaching was phenomenal. Fork Union has a great coaching staff that I still keep in touch with to this day. 
 
My defensive line coach was Patrick McDowell, who is now an assistant strength coach with the Eagles. He was and has continued to be awesome. We stayed in contact all through college and now at the professional level. 
 
I also keep in touch with many of my teammates at Fork Union. It's a brotherhood has blessed me since my time there. 
 
Coach Shuman described you has underrated when you were here. You had an impressive collegiate career at Youngstown State. When you entered the draft did you feel like you had something to prove?
Everything I try to do I do for Jesus. He is the only reason that I am here. I don't think it is an underrated mentality, but to just play for the Lord is such a blessing. He has allowed me to be here and brought the game, Fork Union and my career to me. It is all in His plan. 
 
Describe your first two years in the NFL and how you have worked to bounce back from your injury last season.
It has been a blessing. I have had to grow a lot and learn a ton from the best that we have here. When I had to bounce back, I had to rely heavily on my faith in Christ. He is the one that healed me and got me back here. I am surrounded my amazing teammates and coaches. As far as film and study, I had to dive into that more just because when you get into the NFL it is almost like starting over again like you're a freshman in college. Your rookie year is like your freshman year in college. You start over and you try to find your way. Once you find your way, your niche and your favorite moves, the game starts to slow down. 
 
How does it feel to be a part of the Super Bowl for the second straight year?
Man, it is a blessing. To a lot of guys, it's not just a blessing it is a dream. We have all had the dream of playing in the Super Bowl as kids and it is simply a blessing to be here.
 
If you could give Fork Union a shout out in your next interview what would you say?
Fork Union was one of the best decisions that Christ has led me to other than coming to Him. Fork Union definitely gets you ready for college on and off the field. It allows you to build self-discipline and helps boys become men. Fork Union has great coaching and opportunity. I still make my bed every morning to this day. 
 
#GoFUMA