Hopkins a Talented Athlete at DL

Highland Springs (VA) standout Derrick Hopkins is well known for his gridiron talents, but these days the 6-0, 295-pound defensive tackle prospect is showing off his talents on the hard court. Hopkins, a junior, scored 11 points and hauled in eight rebounds to help the Springers varsity basketball squad to a win over region quarterfinal win over Meadowbrook and a Central Region semifinal showdown against John Marshall.

“I am a big body inside to box out people,” Hopkins said of his basketball talents. Highland Springs, which is 24-2 on the season, has already captured a district title this season. “I like playing basketball. It helps me with football and to stay in shape.”

Hopkins won’t play basketball in college, but he will have the opportunity to play at the highest level of college football. The two-time Richmond Times-Dispatch first-team all-metro selection has been offered by Virginia Tech, where his brother Antoine is currently a freshman defensive tackle.

As a junior this past season, Hopkins had 12 tackles-for-loss including five sacks on a defense that allowed just 78 points the entire season.

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