Peekskill Native Finishing Strong Career at Temple University

Entering his fifth season with the Temple University football team, Peekskill's Derek Dennis gets to start all over again. In more ways than one. 

The Trinity-Pawling grad is anchored as the starting left guard for the Owls this season under new head coach Steve Addazio, who brings with him national championship experience and a reputation for getting things done on the offensive side of the football as an assistant coach with the high-powered University of Florida Gators the past six seasons, including his role as offensive coordinator in 2009-10.

"It's a little difficult after learning something for four years and then adjusting to someone new. It's my last year and I have to learn a whole lot of new things but I think I've picked up on it pretty well," Dennis said after Saturday's practice in Philadelphia. "I'm still learning and working at it every day to master it as quick as I can. We don't have much time."

On Thursday, Temple opens its season with crosstown rival Villanova, one of the top Division I-AA programs in the country. And after a season in which he started at both guard positions and left tackle in 2010, Dennis' biggest task may just be embracing his new slot in the lineup.

"He's an experienced guy. He's got to be getting into the continuity of things where he knows at this is his spot, and develop to be an every down player," offensive line coach Justin Fry says.  "He has to believe that rep is his rep. It's a game rep. He's not a tweener anymore and he's got to focus on his role now."

The only position on the offensive line Dennis hasn't played is center. Being that versatile isn't all bad though.

"I think if you understand the concepts, and the principles of what that position is supposed to do, you kind of flip it in your mind. If I end up switching from one spot to another, I have a good understanding of the concepts of offense and the blocking schemes so it's easy for me to transition."

Dennis says his raw talent was what attracted the Temple coaches liked about him when he was being recruited. He played a year at Peekskill High School, but believes it was time under coach David Coratti that prepared for both football and life in college.

"I didn't really no anything about football before T-P," Dennis said. "That's when I got some real coaching from Coach Coratti. T-P is the main reason I made it here to Temple. I learned a lot there and it prepared me for college life.

As a freshman, Dennis played in every game, starting in 10 of the 12 that right guard. Dennis moved to the left side of the offensive line for his sophomore season, where he made six starts, but he suffered a knee injury early enough in his third year at Temple to qualify for a redshirt season in 2009.

"I think I've really grown a lot as a player since getting to Temple. iI was going off one or two years at the most. I mostly played basketball. When I came in, I was just trying to get better and learning everyday, Dennis said.

Dennis spoke fondly about driving the three-hour trip home from Philadelphia to see his little sisters and parents during the summer to not lose touch with his family. It's not easy for a college athlete with not much down time and the grueling schedule of classes, working out and rigorous practices.

But with the season starting, he knows he'll see his family quite often for his senior year.

"My parents have come to every home game since I've been here, and even get to some road games." he says. "This being my last year, my mom and dad plan on making every single game. I get a lot of support from my parents."

On the academic front, the fifth-year senior is excited about being just one class short of graduating with a broadcast journalism degree. And as much as he's enjoyed his time on the field, Dennis hopes to have a career not far away from it when he's done with football.

"I want to work in sports. I'm love being around sports and anything that has to do with a ball or a bat. Every kid wants to be a sports announcer and work for ESPN but I'm just trying to learn the process," Dennis said. "Hopefully, football can help me with that and get me to where I want to be."