Derek Stingley Jr. vows to prove critics wrong: 'They're going to see'
Derek Stingley Jr. is ready to join the Houston Texans, and after the former LSU cornerback was drafted No. 3 overall on Thursday night, he reflected on the move.
Stingley impressed talent evaluators with a sensational freshman season, but questions and injuries have surfaced since then to motivate Stingley to prove critics wrong.
“For some reason people don’t think I love football,” Stingley said. “People are going to say whatever, but at the next level, they’re going to see. Pressure in my mind, you only feel pressure when you think you’re not prepared. I know that I do things, just about every day to prepare me for this. So I’m good, I feel good. There’s a lot more than just me that I’m playing for, so going out there, I’m thinking about that, so going out there, I’m going to make them proud.”
Stingley had 6 interceptions and broke up 15 passes as a freshman in 2019 to earn All-America honors, but has played just 10 games in the last 2 seasons because of injuries. He played just 3 games last season before he had foot surgery.
Stingley said his first thought after he learned the news of the draft pick was he’s ready to go to work.
“I’m going to give them my all, every play, 100 percent,” he said. “Just like I’ve been doing, I’m going to put the work in.”
He’s prepared for the next level @HoustonTexans | @stingjr pic.twitter.com/nrKn1nyJlc
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) April 29, 2022
Seems like a stretch at #3 but if he can play up to his billing and not be hurt every year then he will likely be worth it. But he has looked injury prone.
I wonder if he will try and get the Texans to let him play wide receiver?
Good, show everyone. Deeds not words. There have been no deeds for 2 years, you can’t blame people for questioning.
LOL, well said.
Don’t be a hater, judge me on what I can potentially do, not what I’ve done to date…my potential is going to prove you wrong!
Opposing QBs have completed 39% of their passes against him over his career. That ranks first among SEC corners during that time span. But I guess that’s not good enough for you.
During what time span, his freshman season 3 year’s ago? But to your point, I’m not the one on the hook for paying him millions based on a 22 game career and only 3 this season so good enough for me…