Derek Epperson

Classroom

Derek Epperson graduated with a 3.62 GPA in Management and Management Information Systems in August 2010, just three years after enrolling at Baylor. He had perfect 4.0 GPAs in fall of 2009 and spring 2010. This fall he will begin an MBA program with specialization in healthcare administration. Epperson is a member of Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society and in 2008 he was part of a group of marketing students selected to make a presentation to Disney executives. In addition, he’s a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, four-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll member and has been named to the Dean’s List in four different semesters.

Character

Despite playing the entire 2009 season with an ankle injury that required offseason surgery, Epperson was named the team’s Special Teams Player of the Year. He spends extra time instructing and assisting kickers and special teams players. After his surgery Epperson was named weight room student-athlete of the month in February 2010. Epperson’s also a mentor to his younger brother, who competes against him as Texas A&M’s punter. Epperson often calls him before games to discuss how to handle pressure.

Community

Epperson, a member of St. Elizabeth’s Community Church, volunteers with Fort Worth Beautiful Feet Ministries and spends time during the summer as a volunteer coach and referee for youth soccer and football camps. He also assisted with Jamie Kohl’s professional kicking camps.

Competition

Epperson received honorable-mention All-American and first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2009, after punting for a league-high average of 44.81 yards. Epperson started his career as a freshman All-American and has 39 career punts inside the 20-yard line. Epperson enters his senior season on the Ray Guy Award Watch List for the second straight year. He was a semifinalist for the award in 2008.