Derek Mendoza

Position:
Linebacker
Ht./Wt.:
6-1 / 248
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Hereford, TX
High School:
Hereford HS

2006
Saw action in 10 games and started five of the final six games of the season ... Ended the year with 41 tackles which ranked seventh on the team... Picked up a season-high six tackles against Florida International and had five tackles each against Louisiana-Monroe and Florida Atlantic ... Had four tackles, including half of a tackle for loss against Louisiana Tech.

2005
Played in all 11 games and started seven games at middle linebacker ... Finished the season with 32 total tackles ... Had a season-high eight tackles in the LSU game ... His only interception of the season helped preserve a 14-7 win over Middle Tennessee when he picked off a Blue Raider pass with under four minutes to play in the game ... Also had one tackle for a loss against Middle Tennessee ... Broke up one pass against Florida Atlantic

2004
Stepped up to lead the Mean Green linebacking corps as a freshman ... Registered over 50 tackles, including an eight-tackle performance against New Mexico State ... Led his team in tackles four times ... Improved dramatically against the pass, intercepting two passes and leading the Mean Green defense in pass breakups ... Against Arkansas State, intercepted a pass in the third quarter that helped North Texas win its 25th consecutive Sun Belt Conference Game.

High School/Personal
Was a four-year letterman for Hereford High School ... Was named to the 3-4A All District team for two consecutive years, and was selected All-Area in his senior season ... The Amarillo Globe News named Mendoza to its Super Team ... The paper also honored him with Defensive Player of the Week twice during his senior year ... Son of Larry and Elva Mendoza ... Born October 30, 1984