Mount Vernon senior Bristan DeRocher is having a great season completing 71.7% of his passes for 947 yards and 8 touchdowns while tearing defenses apart on the ground rushing for 573 yards and 10 touchdowns. What a difference a year can make; DeRocher was one of the leading receivers in Class A and is now eluding pass-rushers in the backfield like Kyler Murray.
“Transitioning to quarterback was very difficult at the beginning of the season because I had to learn an entirely different playbook as well as how to read a defense. But as the season goes on it becomes easier and easier every day.”
Just last week, DeRocher made one of the best plays of the week. He slipped out of a certain sack, then dipped, ducked, and dodged around a handful more tacklers before tossing a pass 30 yards downfield. With the defense in disarray, the receiver was wide open and easily walked into the endzone.
The great play earned a spot in the top 10 and was voted first on the site.
“My senior year is going great so far, our team feels like we’re finally finding what our identity is this year with a whole new coaching staff and new system,” DeRocher said about his senior year.
Mount Vernon is 3-2 on the year under first-year coach Terrence Edwards, and this Friday’s game against #8 Wesleyan will have major implications. A win, and you are now in the top 10 in the Private division, sitting nicely for the playoffs, but the senior is focused on the moment, improving at every opportunity.
“For the second half of the season we obviously want to win every game, but the biggest thing is having a great week of practice every week no matter what team it is, and executing the game plan. We have a great group of coaches that give us a chance to win every game and if we each individually do our job we feel as a team we can beat anyone. An individual goal for the second half of the season is to give us a chance every week.”
With DeRocher now getting reps at quarterback, he has been allowed to see the field from a different angle. We asked how that might benefit him at the next level.
“The biggest thing I believe being a quarterback will help me with in college – probably switching back to receiver – is knowing what everyone is doing on the field offensively and defensively. After playing quarterback, I just see the field differently. I understand tendencies more, I can see based on the routes what man we can put into a bind on defense, and I understand the timing of different routes better,” he said.
DeRocher is an elusive athlete who can cut on a dime. That quickness gave him All-State honorable mention honors for 2023, and DeRocher was regarded to be one of the best receivers in Class A. The fact that he can switch over to QB senior year, and play so well in just five games, well, it harkens back to when Ladd McConkey did the same at North Murray his senior year. By season’s end, that team was one of the best in 3A and gave Cedar Grove a good battle in the playoffs – a similar situation could happen for Mount Vernon and DeRocher.
On the recruiting front, the senior provided a quick update on the process.
“Recruiting is very slow, I have heard from some D# colleges, and my coaches have said there’s a little interest from Marist, which is a D1 school in New York.” He continued, “But really, I’m not worried about any of that stuff yet, I know when the season is over, my coaches are going to do their best to give me every opportunity to play in college. My whole focus right now is to give it 100% each week for my team.”
That’s the gambit. DeRocher’s switch over to quarterback puts his Mount Vernon team at a distinct advantage, but at the next level, he will be a receiver, so colleges will need to evaluate accordingly. We are confident that coaches will take notice, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter/X to hear the latest on the senior and athletes across Georgia.