Derek Dennis

Early years

Dennis did not start playing football until his junior year at Peekskill High School in Peekskill, New York. He also helped the Peesksill basketball team win consecutive state titles in 2005 and 2006. He then transferred to Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling, New York his senior year as they had a more established football program. Dennis played offensive guard, tight end and defensive end at Trinity-Pawling. He recorded 149 tackles, ten sacks, nine forced fumbles, four interceptions, eight receptions for 220 yards and 35 pancake blocks during his varsity career. He earned All-League, All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Section honors in football as well. Dennis averaged fifteen points and eleven rebounds per game in basketball. He graduated from Trinity-Pawling in 2007. He also spent time playing for the New York Gauchos AAU team.

College career

Dennis played for the Temple Owls of Temple University from 2007 to 2011. He played in twelve games, starting ten, as a right guard his freshman year in 2007. He played in twelve games, starting six, in 2008. Dennis played in three games, with one start at right tackle, in 2009 before missing the remainder of the season and being redshirted due to a knee injury. He appeared in twelve games, starting two at right guard, one at left guard and four at left tackle, during the 2010 season. He started thirteen games at left guard his redshirt senior year in 2011. Dennis then played in the 2012 East–West Shrine Game. He graduated from Temple in August 2011 with a degree in journalism.

Miami Dolphins

Dennis was signed by the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL) on May 4, 2012 after going undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was released by the team on July 26, 2012. His release from the Dolphins was shown on Hard Knocks.

New England Patriots

Dennis signed with the NFL's New England Patriots on August 2, 2012. He was released by the Patriots on August 31, 2012.

Arizona Rattlers

Dennis was assigned to the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League (AFL) on November 6, 2012. He was exempted on November 29, 2012. He was activated from Other League Exempt on April 7, 2015 and played for the team during the 2015 season, catching three passes for sixteen yards. Dennis was placed on Other League Exempt on October 22, 2015.

Chicago Bears

On November 27, 2012, Dennis was signed to the practice squad of the Chicago Bears' of the NFL. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on December 31, 2012. He was released by the team on August 30, 2013. Dennis was signed to the Bears' practice squad on September 4 and released by the team on September 9, 2013.

Carolina Panthers

Dennis signed with the NFL's Carolina Panthers on January 4, 2014. He was released by the Panthers on August 30, 2014. He was signed to the team's practice squad on September 10, 2014. Dennis signed a futures contract with the Panthers on January 13, 2015. He was released by the Panthers on April 4, 2015.

Calgary Stampeders

On September 21, 2015, Dennis was signed to the practice roster of the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. He was promoted to the active roster on October 1. He made his CFL debut on October 2, 2015 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Dennis played in five games, all starts, at left tackle for the team during the 2015 regular season. He also started both of the Stampeders' playoff games at left tackle.

2016 was a breakout season for Dennis. He started all 18 regular-season games, 15 starts at left tackle, two at left guard and one at right guard. He was an integral part of a Stampeder unit that allowed the fewest sacks in the CFL in 2016 with 20 (11 fewer than the second-best team in that category) and also helped tailback Jerome Messam run for a league-leading 1,198 yards. Because of his accomplishments he was the winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On February 14, 2017, Dennis was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.