Derek Cameron Wake is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State. Wake has also played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, earning the league's Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2007. He recorded 39 sacks over his first two seasons in the CFL, earning Western Division All-Star honors as well as the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award both years. Born in Beltsville, Maryland, Wake grew up in the suburban Washington,... D.C. area and attended DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. During his senior season of 1999, Wake was named the Washington Post Defensive Player of the Year. Following high school, Wake played collegiately at Penn State. Wake played mainly as a linebacker for the Nittany Lions, but also played the defensive end position. Wake finished his collegiate career with 191 total tackles, 8.5 quarterback sacks, and 24 tackles for loss. Prior to the 2005 NFL Draft, Wake worked out at Penn State's Pro Day and ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash.
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