Derrek Tuszka

Derrek Tuszka
refer to caption
Tuszka in 2022
Personal information
Born: (1996-07-11) July 11, 1996 (age 28)
Warner, South Dakota, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:246 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:Warner
College:North Dakota State (2015–2019)
Position:Linebacker
NFL draft:2020 / round: 7 / pick: 254
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:40
Sacks:2.0
Forced fumbles:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Derrek Tuszka (born July 11, 1996) is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Dakota State.

Early life

Tuszka attended Warner High School in Warner, South Dakota. He committed to North Dakota State on April 22, 2014.[1]

College career

Tuszka played college football at North Dakota State where he was a three-year starter.[2] As a senior in 2019, he recorded 48 tackles including 19 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and five passes defensed. Tuszka was named a Football Championship Subdivision first-team All-American as well as the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In his collegiate career he started 34 of the 53 games in which he appeared and compiled 133 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and six passes defensed.[3]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in
(1.94 m) 		251 lb
(114 kg) 		31+3⁄8 in
(0.80 m) 		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		 4.79 s 1.70 s 2.78 s 4.34 s 6.87 s 33.5 in
(0.85 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 24 reps
All values from NFL Combine[4][5][6]

Denver Broncos

Tuszka was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 254th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.[3] He was waived on September 5, 2020,[7] and was signed to the practice squad the following day.[8] He was elevated to the active roster on September 14 for the team's week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans,[9] and reverted to the practice squad the next day.[10] He was elevated again on September 19 for the team's week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and reverted to the practice squad again after the game.[11] He was promoted to the active roster on September 30, 2020.[12] He was placed on injured reserve on October 27, 2020, with a hamstring injury.[13] On December 12, 2020, Tuszka was activated off of injured reserve.[14]

On August 31, 2021, Tuszka was waived by the Broncos.[15]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 1, 2021, Tuszka was signed to the Steelers practice squad.[16] He was promoted on September 28, 2021.[17] He was released on September 1, 2022.[18]

Tennessee Titans

On September 2, 2022, Tuszka was claimed off waivers by the Titans.[19] He was waived on September 26.[20]

Los Angeles Chargers

On September 28, 2022, Tuszka was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Derrek Tuszka - Denver, Weak-Side Defensive End". 247Sports. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  2. ^ Beesley, Greg (April 25, 2020). "Derrek Tuszka drafted by the Denver Broncos". KFYR TV. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  3. ^ a b DiLalla, Aric (April 25, 2020). "Broncos select OLB Derrek Tuszka with 254th-overall pick". Broncos.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  4. ^ "Derrek Tuszka Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "2020 Draft Scout Derrek Tuszka, North Dakota State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  6. ^ "Broncos draft Derrek Tuszka in Round 7 of the 2020 NFL Draft". denverbroncos.com. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  7. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 5, 2020). "Broncos make series of transactions to reach 53-man roster limit". DenverBroncos.com.
  8. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 6, 2020). "Broncos sign 15 players to practice squad". Denver Broncos. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  9. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 14, 2020). "Broncos elevate OLB Derrek Tuszka, S P.J. Locke from practice squad for #TENvsDEN". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  10. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 16, 2020). "Broncos promote CB De'Vante Bausby to active roster, sign OLB Isaiah Irving to practice squad". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  11. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 19, 2020). "Broncos elevate OLB Derrek Tuszka, RB LeVante Bellamy from practice squad for #DENvsPIT". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  12. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 30, 2020). "Broncos sign DL Timmy Jernigan, promote RB LeVante Bellamy, OLB Derrek Tuszka to active roster". DenverBroncos.com.
  13. ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 27, 2020). "Broncos place NT Mike Purcell, OLB Derrek Tuszka on IR, sign Sylvester Williams to active roster". DenverBroncos.com.
  14. ^ DiLalla, Aric (December 12, 2020). "Broncos add several players to active roster ahead of #DENvsCAR". DenverBroncos.com.
  15. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 31, 2021). "Broncos make series of roster transactions to reach 53-man limit". DenverBroncos.com.
  16. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 1, 2021). "Steelers add 15 to practice squad". Steelers.com.
  17. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 28, 2021). "Steelers promote Tuszka to 53-man roster". Steelers.com.
  18. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 1, 2022). "Steelers claim Jones off waivers". Steelers.com.
  19. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 2, 2022). "Titans Claim Former Steelers OLB Derrek Tuszka Off Waivers". TennesseeTitans.com.
  20. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 26, 2022). "Roster Moves: Titans Sign DL Mario Edwards To 53-Man Roster, Waive OLB Derrek Tuszka". TennesseeTitans.com.
  21. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Claim Outside Linebacker Derrek Tuszka; Place Jalen Guyton on Injured Reserve". Chargers.com. September 27, 2022.