A stock riser in our recent 2026 rankings update was Parkersburg South DB Derek Sandy Derek Sandy 5'8" | 175 lbs | DB Parkersburg South | 2026 State WV . He had a phenomenal junior season for the Patriots and will be one of the better run-stopping safeties in the state again this season. Sandy is deserving of D2 looks this fall.

Here’s what we recently said about Joyce in our 2026 Rankings Stock Risers article:

“We also got to see 2026 Parkersburg South DB  Derek Sandy Derek Sandy 5'8" | 175 lbs | DB Parkersburg South | 2026 State WV  at our PRZ Combine Series camp earlier this year, where he impressed. He’s another safety prospect who is continuing to develop in coverage, but is an excellent run-stopper. Seeing him in person, Sandy is physically impressive for his size with a wrestling background as well, which is apparent in his style of play and physical build. He posted his first offer from D3 Mount St.-Joseph, but is worthy of D2 looks in our eyes as a highly productive player for the Patriots.”

We also got to see 2026 Parkersburg South DB Derek Sandy Derek Sandy 5'8" | 175 lbs | DB Parkersburg South | 2026 State WV at our PRZ Combine Series camp earlier this year, where he impressed. He’s another safety prospect who is continuing to develop in coverage, but is an excellent run-stopper. Seeing him in person, Sandy is physically impressive for his size with a wrestling background as well, which is apparent in his style of play and physical build. He posted his first offer from D3 Mount St.-Joseph, but is worthy of D2 looks in our eyes as a highly productive player for the Patriots.

If you lined up Parkersburg South’s Derek Sandy Derek Sandy 5'8" | 175 lbs | DB Parkersburg South | 2026 State WV and Wheeling Park’s Isaac Sands Isaac Sands 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB/WR Wheeling Park | 2026 State WV next to each other, you’d believe they were nearly identical copies of each other. Sandy is also a very physically put-together safety with a wrestling background and similar stocky stature. He also did very well in coverage during the camp for a safety playing man coverage, which he isn’t used to doing every down. As a junior last season, Sandy totaled 136 tackles and 6 PBU’s as a run-stopping safety with athleticism to have success in pass coverage as well.

2026 Parkersburg South DB Derek Sandy Derek Sandy 5'8" | 175 lbs | DB Parkersburg South | 2026 State WV was very productive for the Patriots this season as the second-leading tackler on the team. Sandy totaled 136 tackles and 6.5 TFLs from his safety spot as a downhill run-stopping defensive back. Sandy is a physical downhill tackler who’s very good at reading and dissecting run plays and short passes with very good pursuit of the ball. He’s a thumping tackler who plays well in space and takes good angles on ball carriers.