Georgia transfer enhances Legacy High football’s defense

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, April 25, 2015 | 2 a.m.

It’s every high school football coach’s dream: There’s a new kid walking around campus, a move-in from another state, and he’s put together well. He wants to join your program.

That scenario played out a few months ago at Legacy High School in North Las Vegas. The player, senior-to-be defensive lineman Derriyon Shaw, passes the eye test at 6 feet, 4 inches and 230 pounds.

Legacy coach John Isola, after asking Shaw a few questions and welcoming him to the sixth-period football training class, took to the Internet to confirm what he suspected. Shaw, who played last fall at Lanier High in Sugar Hill, Ga., was the real deal.

“As soon as he walks out of the office I started looking him up (online),” Isola said. “Within 10 minutes, I’m watching game film. Wow, kid’s a player. Some times you get a walk-in who looks like Tarzan, but you don’t know if he can play. Derriyon can play.”

Shaw had 61 tackles, 11 sacks, nine quarterback hurries and three pass deflections in 2014, according to MaxPreps. Leiner High finished with an 11-1 record. His mother got a job in Las Vegas, where he was born and lived until age 11, and they moved back to Southern Nevada.

Georgia’s loss is Legacy’s gain.

Shaw said he has scholarship offers from North Carolina, Cincinnati, Miami-Ohio, Wake Forest and James Madison. Other colleges, whose coaches just recently learned Shaw’s in North Las Vegas, have quickly made their way to Legacy.

Isola keeps their business cards on a bulletin board next to his desk. When they ask for information on Shaw, the coach raves about the 16-year-old’s obvious talents. He’s also quick to mention what he feels makes Shaw elite.

“He stays after workouts everyday to do extra,” Isola aid.

Walking into the weight room the first time to train with new teammates was intimidating, but Shaw says he was immediately accepted. Legacy has a strong foundation with 17 returning starters, making the transition painless for the Longhorns’ newest defensive weapon. Shaw is considered a two-star prospect on the Rivals.com evaluating scale of five stars.

“It was hard leaving friends and family in Georgia, but I knew it was the right move,” he said. “I’m glad I’m here. This is a good football program. You have to adapt to your surroundings. The kids here are pretty good.”

Shaw, who is described as a pass-rushing specialist with quick hands and feet, will be put to the test immediately. Legacy opens against Centennial and plays Arbor View the following week, taking on a pair of teams expected to be ranked in the top-5. In Southwest League play, they host defending national champion Bishop Gorman — a school Shaw says he hadn’t heard of until moving.

“I’m going to surprise some people because they haven’t heard of me and haven’t seen me play,” he said. “I’m a very good pass rusher. I like to use my speed, my hands and technique to get to the quarterback.”

If he gets to the quarterback as frequently as he did in Georgia, Legacy could instantly become a contender in the Sunset Region. The same four schools, Arbor View, Centennial, Gorman and Palo Verde, have reached the Sunset semifinals the past five seasons. The move-in Shaw and Legacy’s strong senior class could change that.

“This is a great class I have this year. The senior leadership is awesome,” Isola said. “I introduced him to everyone right away, ‘Hey, this is Derriyon Shaw. He’s a defensive end who played down in Georgia last year. He’s going to be playing with us.’ They welcomed him right away.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21