Derek Zammit

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-1, 195 lbs. Taller than 15% and heavier than 39% of 2026 Quarterback prospects in the SEC Scouts database (128 with a listed size).

Play Style

He's a rhythm-and-timing passer who wins with efficiency, not volume or pure arm talent. His 2024 tape shows good ball placement on quick and intermediate throws and very few turnover-worthy decisions. He's a true run threat on designed keepers, zone reads and scrambles, and he breaks long runs (the 69-yard TD in the 2025 title game). He's a competitive, physical runner who will lower his shoulder in short yardage. That's why Washington's staff trusted him with a 3rd-and-1 wildcat snap as a true freshman.

Strengths

• Efficiency and ball security: as a junior he completed 150 of 221 passes (67.9%) for 2,582 yards with 35 TDs and only 4 INTs, an elite TD-to-INT ratio against New Jersey Non-Public competition, one of the tougher parochial leagues in the Northeast
• Real dual-threat production: 560 rush yards as a junior and about 810 yards at 9.1 ypc with 9 TDs as a senior. Washington has already used him on a designed QB run in a short-yardage wildcat package (1 carry, 2 yards on 3rd-and-1 vs. Utah State, 9/12/2026)
• Toughness and big-game production: he won the 2025 Non-Public B title game 21-12 over Paramus Catholic by scoring all three DePaul touchdowns on the ground (1, 69 and 22 yards) while playing on an injured ankle. He was a four-year starter with three state titles
• Validated against elite competition: Elite 11 Finalist, and Under Armour All-American buzz during his recruitment

Areas to Improve

• Consistency as a passer: his senior line fell to about 150/236, 2,000 yards, 12 TD / 7 INT. The drop lines up with an in-season ankle injury, not a lower ceiling, but he still needs to show the 2024 accuracy and decision-making at a college processing speed
• Working from the pocket at 6-1: he needs to sharpen his footwork resets, arm angles and pocket movement to see and throw through interior traffic, and he'll need to rely less on escaping when the first read isn't there
• Adding strength and durability so his run volume can hold up against Big Ten defenders

College Projection

He's a true freshman at Washington in 2026, sitting behind starter Demond Williams Jr. and competing with Elijah Brown, Dash Beierly and Kini McMillan. He's a likely redshirt who can play up to four games while being used in short-yardage and change-of-pace packages. Realistic timeline: backup and package QB in 2026-27, and a legitimate competitor for the starting job by his third year (2028) if his passing efficiency returns to the 2024 level and he adds weight.

NFL Outlook

Long-range and dependent on development. The Composite puts him at four stars, but the in-house 247 grade (3-star, 88) and his 6-1 height put him outside the early-round QB profile today. His best path is the one mobile QBs of his size have used: multiple years of efficient, low-turnover starting play in a Power Four offense, which would make him a Day 3 draft or priority free-agent candidate. If he doesn't become the starter, his toughness and running ability give him a floor as a career backup or package player.

Best Fit

An RPO and spread offense that uses designed QB runs and puts a premium on quick, accurate decisions over deep-drop vertical passing. Washington under Jedd Fisch fits that well: quick-game concepts, movement throws and QB-run packages that fit his skills while he develops as a passer. He'd be a poor fit for a heavy under-center, dropback system built for a 6-4 or taller pocket passer.