Derrick Vickers Profile

Sept. 15, 2003

By Rob Wyman
Sports Information Assistant

The knee injury suffered by former Miami Hurricane and current Buffalo Bill Willis McGhee and his journey back onto the playing field gained a lot of national attention.

Central Michigan University quarterback Derrick Vickers had a special interest in the whole situation, as McGhee is his stepbrother.

"The injury was pretty scary when it occurred and it really hit me with how quickly things can change in life," said Vickers. "I have seen firsthand how his intensity and love of the game made him a great player.

"His injury has really taught me how in football every play could be your last, so you have to play your hardest every play. His struggles to get back from this injury have really motivated me heading into this season."

Vickers ranks in the top five in three career passing records. He's third in completions (374) and attempts (711), and fifth in yards (4,043). In 2002, Derrick set school records for the most completions in a game with 28 against Wyoming. He also had 27 against Bowling Green.

Vickers, a starter in 23 games over his career, has been in a battle with junior Jeff Perry for the starting job since last spring.

Chippewa coach Mike DeBord has appreciated the attitude of his veteran quarterback.

"Derrick has given us tremendous senior leadership," he said. "Derrick is a much better quarterback now than in the past. He has great knowledge of our system."

Vickers helped give DeBord one of the first big wins of his coaching career when the Chippewas marched 71 yards at the end of the Western Michigan game in 2000 for a 21-17 victory.

Along with his brother, Derrick's mother and father have been a main source of inspiration during his career here at CMU.

"Even though my parents live so far away and can't physically come to all of my games, they have always been supportive of me and my playing career," said the Miami native. "Their support has been really important to me and been a main reason I have been so successful. I know that they are always proud of me no matter what happens on the field."

One of the knocks about football teams is that since they have so many members, it is difficult for the team to form a close bond, like a smaller squad such as a basketball team might have. For Vickers, having so many teammates is actually a plus.

"One of the nice parts about having so many teammates is the fact you get to learn about different people and how they go about doing things," said Vickers. "I have tried to get to know as many guys as possible because you never know what you will learn from another guy. I have some great teammates and getting to know them has been one of my favorite parts of my time here at CMU."

Derrick is one of nine current CMU players that have come to Mount Pleasant from Florida. Though CMU might seem like a long way from his home in the Miami area, Derrick came here because it gave him the opportunity to be a quarterback.

"Coach Willie Martinez recruited me hard to come here," said Vickers. "Other schools who recruited me wanted to convert me into a wide receiver or a defensive back, but the coaches here wanted me to be a quarterback, so that was a big factor in coming here.

"I also liked the town when I came here on a visit. The thing that sold me on coming here was the players and coaches who were here."

Along with getting acclimated to college life as a student and football player, learning how to deal with the weather was another tough hurdle for Derrick.

"I did not think I was going to make it during the first few weeks that the winter weather hit," said Vickers. "I definitely was not used to cold weather growing up in Florida, so it was difficult learning how to deal with it my first year up here. The biggest help for me was my teammates and the advice they gave me on dealing with it."

During his three previous seasons at CMU, the football team has had some tough times as the program continues to build and grow. For Derrick, it was always the senior leaders of the team that were most influential during those tough times and now he is one of those leaders.

"I learned a lot about being a leader from the guys above me," the senior said. "The biggest thing is to always stay positive and keep your head up because, as a leader, you never know who is looking up to you and following your example.

"This team has gone through some tough times these last few years, but we have always gotten through them because of the strong senior leadership, So, this season I know it's my turn to step up and be a leader on this team."

Vickers is a computer science major who likes bowling, playing video games and shooting pool in his spare time.