Derek Hagan Heating Up

If you were to ask people to name a few great athletes from Arizona State University, you’d hear names from all sorts of sports, certainly football, and they would include the likes of Danny White, Jake Plummer, and even Andrew Walter.  The program has produced some good, even great, talent at quarterback, so those answers only make sense, right?  Yet one hardly ever mentions to whom these illustrious QBs threw the ball.  In the years to come, Derek Hagan might change that.

The senior WR for the Sun Devils has definitely made a name for himself at a position other than QB at Arizona State.  Coming into the 2005 season, Derek is set to break, and possibly shatter several long-standing records set by previous receivers at Arizona State.  Entering his 2005 campaign, Hagan needed only 8 more receptions to set the all-time standard for future ASU WRs.  By the end of his junior season, he was less than 300 yards and a half-dozen TDs short of holding the school records in those categories as well.

Perhaps as impressive as any statistical accomplishment, one of the most intriguing things has been Derek’s ability to stay healthy and being able to start in just about every game since his freshman year.  When I asked ASU receivers coach, Darryl Jackson, about Derek’s stamina he said, “The great thing about our situation here is that kids want to play, and they understand you can’t play standing on the sideline.  Derek has found ways to play through injuries, and he hasn’t had any major ones, and we prefer to keep it that way.”   Jackson went on to tell me, “Sometimes little nagging things come up with other guys and it will keep them out for weeks at a time, but they don’t keep Derek out.”

Derek’s work ethic being tremendous has clearly paid off for him.  He works extremely hard in very grueling conditions to constantly improve himself.  Spring and summer workouts reach 110 degrees at times, and if you aren’t prepared and conditioned, you will fade quickly.

“Without his work ethic, Derek could not be where he is today,” said Jackson.  “It all goes back to preparation, Derek has prepared himself to be in the position he’s in now.”   Jackson also added, “He has worked extremely hard on his game, and continues to work extremely hard on his game.  He’s put himself in the position where he keeps getting rewarded with the ball.”   

Rewarded with the ball indeed...  Derek has turned in more 100- yard receiving games than any player in ASU history, catching a pass in at least 29 straight games.  He’s also only the second player in school history ever to turn in back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. 

Now the question remains, will the disappearance of Andrew Walter, ASU’s most prolific passer in history, hinder the progression of Derek’s success in 2005?  The answer I’m getting in all circles is absolutely not.  Sam Keller and Derek have actually played together for 3 years now, and although you only caught a glimpse of it toward the end of 2004, the chemistry was definitely there and has continued to grow, and is stronger than ever. 

Said Jackson of the pair, “We happen to be in a situation here where big-time quarterbacks want to come here because they know we’re going to try and get the ball vertically down the field.  Andrew Walter had success with Shaun McDonald prior to Derek, and then had success with Derek, and you know …it just keeps right on rolling.”   

Coach Darryl Jackson gave me some terrific insight into who Derek is as a person and as an athlete.  While I was very content with being able to speak with Coach Jackson, because he was incisive and provided such great material with which to work, actually being able to speak with Derek was an added bonus.  The following is some of the conversation I recently had with Derek, how he feels the Sun Devils’ chances are in the Pac-10 this year, as well as his own at the next level.

DraftBoardInsider.com:  You had one of the most prolific passers in the history of college football last year, and the most prolific passer in Sun Devil history in Andrew Walter.  Andrew is in the NFL now, so how is the relationship with Sam Keller coming along?  Is the compatibility there as strong as it was with Walter?

Derek Hagan:  Oh yeah, I think so.  We watch film together, and hang out together a lot.  He’s got a will to win just like the rest of the team does, and we’re definitely on the same page.

DBI:  Derek, what kind of pressure are you feeling coming into this year?  We have you ranked at the top at the wide receiver position, just as many others do.  Do you feel any added pressure being the most widely talked about receiver coming into this year?

DH:  You know, I really don’t feel any pressure at all.  I don’t really think about that stuff.  I try and block it all out.  I just try to everyday, when I step out on that football field; I’m just focusing and working on the things I need to do to get myself better.

DBI:  In speaking with coach Darryl Jackson, a very smart and well-spoken individual, who has spoken very highly of you, what has it been like for you to work with coach Jackson, and how has he helped your game?

DH:  Coach Jackson is great.  When I first came in I really didn’t know to much about how to get off the line, I mean I knew, but I didn’t know all the different movements, and how to get in between defenders when you’re running your routes.  He’s taught me a lot about how to read defenses and respond to different coverages.  It’s all the little things he has taught me to become who I am.  He’s a really cool, laid back guy.

DBI:  How is the ASU offense going to look this year?  You have some pretty stout weapons on that offense.  Other teams are going to have to focus now on the tight end position, running back, and other receivers.  It’s going to be hard for them to double-team you with all the other weapons you have.

DH:  Oh yeah, that’s right.  But you know, I don’t mind the double team, I was double teamed a lot last year, and still managed.  It also frees up the tight end or other receivers to make a play.

DBI:  What made you decide to come back for your senior season?  Was there ever any talk or thought of going pro after last year?

DH:  No!  There was no thought to it at all.  College is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.  I wanted to come back and get my degree.  I like it out here in Arizona, and I wanted to come back for my last season with the team we have, and hopefully make it to a Rose Bowl.

DBI:  Speaking of the Rose Bowl and your chances.  Being in the Pac-10, you’ve got USC, and lately that’s all anyone is talking about, but any other team in that conference can sneak up on anyone on any given Saturday.  What do you feel your chances are this year to compete in the Pac-10, as well as the national stage?

DH:  I think our chances are great.  If we play a solid four quarters of football at anytime, we can do anything.  The only way you are going to be able to win is to play all four quarters.  Play mistake-free football, and go out there and get the job done.

DBI:  Derek, what in your mind makes you stand out as a great receiver on the football field?  What do you attribute your success to? 

DH:  You know...  it just comes from working hard, day in and day out, whether that means watching film or working out.  I watch a lot of film on other receivers and corners, and pay attention to what they do, and what their habits are.  I think that helps me out a whole lot.  It all comes from working hard in practice as well.

DBI:  That’s got to be hard to do in 110-degree heat every day? 

DH:  Yeah, that’s true.  You get used to it though.  We workout in it everyday, and after a while, it doesn’t even bother you anymore.  They’ve got Gatorade and water and things out there for us, and they take care of us pretty good. 

DBI:  Derek, if you had a weakness in your game, what would it be? 

DH:  Oh wow (laughs)!  I have no idea.  There are obviously things that I try to work on everyday.  Precision on my routes, and getting off the line better, and I’ve worked on these things throughout the summer.  I try to focus on every aspect, and work on each of them.

Let me get one thing settled right now.  Although it may seem like Derek makes light with his answer, “I have no idea,” when asked if there was room for improvement, he wasn’t.  The inflection in his voice throughout the interview spoke to his sincerity and dedication in how he approaches working on every aspect of his game every day.

The last thing anyone should confuse Derek Hagan for being is complacent or cocky.  Coach Jackson seems to agree.  When I asked him about Derek needing to work on anything, he replied, “Derek works on everything ― not only the physical standpoint that comes from lifting and running and working out, but the mental standpoint, to be able to push yourself through things that you don’t think you can do, and then you achieve it.  Those are the things that I get excited about.” 

I also have gathered speaking with Derek, that he really and truly believes that the Pac-10 is wide open this year.  Why shouldn’t he believe it?  They have a physically and mentally strong quarterback in Sam Keller, a high class receiving corps with Terry Richardson and Moey Mutz, and a rising star at tight end in Zach Miller.  Arizona State is a team with a number weapons that cannot be overlooked. 

Derek Hagan can’t do it all himself, but this kid is definitely a gamer.  It’s hard to ignore the gaudy numbers he puts up, but even harder to ignore his raw talent.  In picking Coach Jackson’s brain, I asked him for a familiar name at WR he would most likely compare to Derek.  Jackson has coached a lot of receivers mind you, even doing an internship with the Detroit Lions, and working with guys by the likes of the Williams tandem and Charles Rogers.

His answer was simple, and one I didn’t expect.  I thought for sure he’d rattle off names of past or present receivers that Derek could compare to, since I had a few in my own mind.  He didn’t.  He told me, “He’s extremely talented, and in his own right he’s kind of by himself.  It’s hard to compare him to anyone because everyone’s different.  That’s the great thing about teaching young men is they’re all different, and they all have different strengths and weaknesses.”

“Derek is his own person, and we’ll see 10 years from now where he ranks against some of those other guys that are already playing at that level,” Said Jackson. 

When I asked Derek why he didn’t enter last year’s draft, I expected to hear the answer that touched on how deep this past draft class was at receiver with Mike Williams, Braylon Edwards, Mark Clayton, Roddy White, etc.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear him say that he wanted to come back and get his degree.  I admire Derek for staying in school and wanting to earn his degree and all the while working longer and harder to become a better football player.  I think we can give the credit for Derek’s determination to both Derek and Coach Jackson and how well they work together.

Going back to school to earn his degree is the best answer he could’ve given, but he wouldn’t have been off base with the answer I was expecting.  Last year’s draft class at receiver was deep, and undoubtedly, Derek would’ve been right in the mix.  But guess what?  His name is being mentioned at the very top this year, which might be the difference between first day and first round.  Good call Derek, good call.