Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | L 0-51@ Oklahoma | 3 | 2 | 2.0 | 1.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 3 tackles |
| Wk 2 | W 51-10vs Texas Southern | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Total | 4 | 3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | — | 0 |
#11
Derek Burns
Junior defensive lineman for UTEP. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′5″ · 254 lb · Dallas, TX
Returning to UTEP for 2026
The numbers
1
sack · 2026
2 TFL · 4 tackles
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 1 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 tackles, at Oklahoma
His career numbers, season by seasonDerek Burns
Two head coaches in two seasons, at two different programs. The receipt on tape: 3 tackles, 2 TFL against Oklahoma, Week 1, 2026.
4 TACKLES · 1 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- head-coach lineage
- game log
Career arc
HS
Recruit
—
CFB
College
2 teams
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2024New Mexico State3-9HC: Tony Sanchez · Run-heavy
2026UTEP1-1HC: Scotty Walden · Run-heavy, slow tempo
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Elite: sacks (87th percentile). Strength: tackles for loss (85th percentile). Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Box-score production (6)
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 2.0 TKL/g, 1.0 TFL/g, 0.5 SACK/g, 0.0 PD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Scotty Walden
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | UTEP | 4 | 3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2024 | New Mexico State | 1 | -- | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Career | 5 | 3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | -- | -- | -- |
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2026
W 51–10
Game log
How he plays
2026 Outlook
UTEP
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive line · UTEP
Returning around him
- Transfer portal: +1 net (21 in / 20 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
UTEP · Last season: 2-10 · Talent rank #102 · 2026 recruiting class #92
The defensive line · UTEP
- #19Sterling Miles4 tackles for loss · 2025
- #90Ashton Coker4 tackles for loss · 2025
- #3Shakaun Bowser3 tackles for loss · 2025
- #6Ekow Taylor2 tackles for loss · 2025
- #11Derek Burns2 games · 2026
16 more on the roster · UTEP team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology