2026 DL Ronald Derrick III commits to Northwestern the day before Signing Day
Northwestern got a surprise commitment on the eve of National Signing Day.
Three-star 2026 defensive lineman Ronald Derrick III from Waco (Tex.) University decommitted from Arizona State on Monday night, and, on Tuesday morning, announced his commitment to Northwestern.
The Wildcats and Sun Devils were the two teams to host Derrick for an official visit this past summer, and were two of his three Power Four offers along with Arizona. Northwestern was the first Power Four offer to Derrick, and his first official visit on May 31, though it seemed that Arizona State had won the battle when he committed there on June 8, shortly after his trip to Tempe.
But the Wildcats kept working and working and, in the days before Signing Day, got the flip done.
Derrick’s addition brings Northwestern’s Class of 2026 up to 20 commits.
Derrick is currently listed by Rivals as an edge rusher, his high school role, but the expectation is he will move inside to tackle as he bulks up at the next level.
Northwestern’s class now ranks No. 60 in the country, and 15th in the Big Ten, ahead of Purdue, Nebraska and Penn State, at the time of publication.
