That Derby guy is practically immobile

[Biggus Piggus]

Why did the coaches ever think A.J. Derby could run?

[demonHOG1013]

That play was awesome!  Leaping over that guy for a first down!  AJ is a beast!

[razorbackkid]

I'm probably not the only one who likes him better at TE than QB. 

[PorkRinds]

I heard this morning that Derby was on crutches this week, so he was playing through an injury.  Imagine if he would have been a TE his whole career.  Dude is a beast.  I think he ends up getting a shot at the NFL. 

[hogsanity]

I like the fact that he was smart enough to make the move. We have seen many players, Qbs especially, that wont give up their dream of being a QB, so they end up riding the pine, or bouncing around through two transfers trying to get a shot at Qb. Derby may very well get paid to play for a few years with what he has shown this season.

[Cresthog]

He could be a nasty TE or DE in the NFL. His upside is huge.

[hoglady]

Great hands, great size and tough as nails.
That's always a good combination.

[GolfnHog]

Good size, good speed and can block and catch....tells me his upside at the next level continues to improve as an H back or TE as a 3rd or 4th round pick. JMO

[jgphillips3]

He was going nowhere at QB and has played himself into legitimate NFL consideration at TE.  I'm beyond proud of the kid.

[Pork Twain]

I only wish we had him longer.

[HogFansReunited]

I am very proud of Derby.  He has played great all season and by switching positions he has shown he wants to do anything he can to help the hogs.

[Prestworthy]

I think everyone agreed he was more mobile than BA.  BA throws a much better ball though.

[Jek Tono Porkins]

CBB mentioned in his press conference that derby and spaight are getting looks from the senior bowl committee. What a difference one year can make.

[TOM "tbw1"]

Great hands, great size and tough as nails.
That's always a good combination.

Yes

[Steef]

Man, I sure hope he gets to play on Sundays!

If that happens, Bret gets a lot of credit.

[Dr. Starcs]

6'5, 260, big, fast and strong. Future nfl career, dating Calli Berna.

I'm jealous. Lol

[DeltaBoy]

He is fine.

[trippigs]

He has earned all the respect he is receiving. I value that he liked Coach so much that he transferred here...and then switched positions when the first didn't stick. His resiliency, dedication and skill has served him well.

[DeltaBoy]

I really respect this KID!

[PorkRinds]

6'5, 260, big, fast and strong. Future nfl career, dating Calli Berna.

I'm jealous. Lol

Oh man.  This dude has the life! Color me green with envy as well!

[rickm1976]

He and Kiero Small are two of my favorite Hogs of all time.  I hope he has a great career in the NFL.

[Vantage 8 dude]

I am very proud of Derby.  He has played great all season and by switching positions he has shown he wants to do anything he can to help the hogs.

I totally agree that Mr. Derby has done a great job this year. I truly hope he's given the opportunity to play somewhere at the next level.

BTW while we're at it let's not forget the person who was the primary architect behind Derby's move to TE. With a lot of talking and persuasion one Bret Bielema was the brainchild behind this move.

[NLRHog92]

Imagine what a professional coach can do for him after only being at the position for a season! And a great TD against the best team in the nation, also has had some snags this year. Natural athlete with size, understanding of the game being a former QB and potential through the roof. Great story, hope it has a happy ending!

[Hawgzinbowlz]

He's got the NFL package.

I hope Coach Chaney finds a way to fully integrate A.J. and Hunter in the offensive scheme in our next 3 games.

" GO HOGS "

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

I totally agree that Mr. Derby has done a great job this year. I truly hope he's given the opportunity to play somewhere at the next level.

BTW while we're at it let's not forget the person who was the primary architect behind Derby's move to TE. With a lot of talking and persuasion one Bret Bielema was the brainchild behind this move.

I thought I read on here that he'd been projected to TE or LB by several universities and went with BB cause he was promised a chance to try QB.  So I'm not sure where the godlike benevolence and attraction of BB coupled with Bill Walsh/Lombardi/Shula genius is coming from.
I'm dang glad to have Derby on the team.  He has exploded from buried to integral on the depth chart.  BB has impressed me with how much improvement we've had, but I'm not sure where some of these statements are coming from.

[Vantage 8 dude]

I thought I read on here that he'd been projected to TE or LB by several universities and went with BB cause he was promised a chance to try QB.  So I'm not sure where the godlike benevolence and attraction of BB coupled with Bill Walsh/Lombardi/Shula genius is coming from.
I'm dang glad to have Derby on the team.  He has exploded from buried to integral on the depth chart.  BB has impressed me with how much improvement we've had, but I'm not sure where some of these statements are coming from.

Simple TRUTH is that CBB fulfilled his apparent promise and allowed Derby to play QB last year. So our HC stuck to his vow to give him a chance to fulfill his dream. However, with BA fully recovered, as well as other kids at the QB position, apparently Bret saw Derby's best opportunity on immediately contribute at the TE position. That's one of the many things a good coach does: he not only keeps his promises, but he also tries to create the best opportunities to his players to make positive/difference making contributions. DUH!! Just try to think about THAT for a moment and it just might finally come to (even) you.

[Tejano Jawg]

An Iowa buddy of mine was trying to tell me he didn't play enough there, and that he might have some eligibility left after this year. That can't be right, can it? If so, wouldn't we all know?

[Hawgzinbowlz]

I thought I read on here that he'd been projected to TE or LB by several universities and went with BB cause he was promised a chance to try QB.  So I'm not sure where the godlike benevolence and attraction of BB coupled with Bill Walsh/Lombardi/Shula genius is coming from.
I'm dang glad to have Derby on the team.  He has exploded from buried to integral on the depth chart.  BB has impressed me with how much improvement we've had, but I'm not sure where some of these statements are coming from.

I think your imagination/interpretation are playing tricks on you.
It is likely as simple as A.J. being given the opportunity to play QB and when it became clear we had better options CBB found a way to utilize A.J. at a position that will help all involved (A.J./Team) and help The Hogs be the best they can be.

"So I'm not sure where the godlike benevolence and attraction of BB coupled with Bill Walsh/Lombardi/Shula genius is coming from."
Lyrical, but obtuse.

" GO HOGS "

[Cinco de Hogo]

The bottom line is that after bouncing around trying to make it at QB he had enough respect for BB to finally make the full time move to TE.

[Dumb ole famrboy]

I'm inclined to believe his athletcism and skill set was not exploited when at the QB position.

[Cinco de Hogo]

I'm inclined to believe his athletcism and skill set was not exploited when at the QB position.

If that is true he did a bad job of finding the right coach, team and scheme.  Like Mallett, you got to know we're your needed or when to cut and run.  You have to pick the right system to play in.

[pfrg999]

It is amazing how stiff, plodding and uneasy he looked in the QB position and how fluid, fast and mobile he looks as a TE... Honestly we all know he had really no shot at the next level as a QB.. But as a big fast mobile TE that has soft hands and very good instincts.. He could have a shot..
I was as down on him as anyone thinking about him behind the center, but what a turnaround. Putting him at TE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY getting him to buy into it, has been one of CBB's more brilliant moves... . #WPS

[Biggus Piggus]

If that is true he did a bad job of finding the right coach, team and scheme.  Like Mallett, you got to know we're your needed or when to cut and run.  You have to pick the right system to play in.

Gawd, he took the best opportunity he could find.

[PorkRinds]

Tebow might be playing in the NFL if he had been willing to make a similar switch once he got to the league. 

[PorkSoda]

I'm inclined to believe his athletcism and skill set was not exploited when at the QB position.

takes more than athleticism to play QB, and he aint no matt jones when it comes to that.

But it seems he finally found his natural position.

[Cresthog]

Can't believe no Hog fan has called him the next JJ Watt.

[PorkRinds]

He's the next JJ Watt!!!

[Cinco de Hogo]

Gawd, he took the best opportunity he could find.

That's the point, it's not alway the best opportunity when it's based on your hearts desire.  However for him the best opportunity was listening to a guy he had enought respect for... to listen to him.  If he had listened from day one he might have been a first round pick on draft day at TE.  That is pure speculation thought.

[12247]

I would love to see 3TEs together on many offensive plays.  3 TE's and #32 and #3 all out there at the same time and be sure the D knows they are there.  Try covering that.  3 good pass catchers that know how to downfield block and 2 runners that you must cover or pay.  5 possibilities every snap.  I am not an idiot.  We would move the ball.  Just need someone on offense to pull the trigger and do this.

[12247]

You could mix that up by letting Korless relieve any one of them on any down. 

[BadHog]

Should have always been a tight end...

by Barry Every - 09/21/2009

On the Hoof: Has good height, wide shoulders, long arms and very athletic legs. Basketball keeps him fairly lean so he has no bad body weight. At first glance, he looks like an athletic tight end or even a huge outside linebacker.
Needs Improvement: Needs to find a position he fits into. Right now, he wants to play quarterback, and he is very inconsistent with his accuracy and release point. Luckily for him, he plays about every position on the field in high school.
Most Impressive: He is a very versatile player that could project as a linebacker, safety, tight end, dual-threat quarterback or H-back at the next level. He has very good speed for his size, body control and hands.
Conclusion: This is a tough one, as a quarterback he is two years away from seeing any meaningful playing time. But wherever he goes, they may create packages for him just to get his toughness and athleticism on the field. Athletically, he could be very dangerous in the spread offense, but I still think he can become an All-America tight end if he decides to switch positions.

[Hogsmo Kramer]

He's an excellent athlete.

Love him at TE and wish we had him longer.

Another Coach B success story in the making too.

[jm]

He has been impressive this year. Some of the other position moves seem to be working out well also.

[Paul]

He'll make some money in the League

[The Kig]

Good size, good speed and can block and catch....tells me his upside at the next level continues to improve as an H back or TE as a 3rd or 4th round pick. JMO

Agreed on the H-back thing.... or in an Offense that utilizes the TE passing game.  Maybe not a big extra blocking "lineman" type, but even there would be lined up against a smaller, fast DE in the NFL. 

[Hawgzinbowlz]

Why did the coaches ever think A.J. Derby could run?

Great pic. When it occurred I thought, WTH did I just see.

" GO HOGS "

[PorkSoda]

anyone know if a replay of the game will be on this week?

[rmcchris]

Why did the coaches ever think A.J. Derby could run?

How much weight has he put on since the move to TE?  Could have a lot to do with it?

[Pigsknuckles]

He's got the NFL package.

I hope Coach Chaney finds a way to fully integrate A.J. and Hunter in the offensive scheme in our next 3 games.

" GO HOGS "

Caught that.

[BRHogfan]

I'll never be able to forget his 54 yard touchdown against Alabama.  One of the highlights of the season for sure, and he's not done yet.