Derek Weisskopf

From a championship-winning high school career at Williamsburg to the University of Iowa, Derek Weisskopf has built his football identity on versatility, competitive discipline, and academic commitment. Now a linebacker for the Hawkeyes, he is working to turn his all-around athletic background into a lasting role in college football.

Some football players develop their identities around one position. Derek Weisskopf took a different route.

Before establishing himself as a linebacker at the University of Iowa, the Williamsburg, Iowa, native played quarterback, wide receiver, safety, linebacker, and punter. He also excelled in basketball and track and field, building the kind of athletic versatility that made him one of the more accomplished multi-sport athletes in his high school class.

That background helped shape Weisskopf into a prospect capable of contributing in different situations. His high school career included state championship success, multiple all-state selections, and impressive production on both sides of the ball. At Iowa, he has entered a more demanding environment, where opportunities must be earned through preparation, consistency, and performance.

As he continues his collegiate development, Weisskopf’s story reflects the transition from a standout small-town athlete to a young player pursuing a role in a major college football program.

• Full Name: Derek Weisskopf
• Sport: American football
• Position: Linebacker
• Jersey Number: 22
• Height: 6 feet, 3 inches
• Weight: 233 pounds
• Age: 20
• Birthplace/Hometown: Victor, Iowa
• High School: Williamsburg High School
• College: University of Iowa
• Current Team: Iowa Hawkeyes
• Years Active: College football, 2024-present

Weisskopf grew up in Victor, Iowa, and attended Williamsburg High School, where his athletic development extended well beyond football. His experience across several sports gave him opportunities to develop coordination, body control, explosiveness, and competitive awareness.

Football quickly became a defining part of his high school career. Rather than being limited to a single position, he contributed wherever his team needed him. His responsibilities included playing quarterback and wide receiver on offense, handling defensive assignments at safety and linebacker, and contributing as a punter.

This versatility translated into substantial production. Weisskopf's ability to affect games in different ways made him a valuable member of Williamsburg's football program and helped establish his reputation as an all-around athlete.

His personal life also includes a supportive family background. Iowa's official biography identifies his parents as Brett and Danielle Weisskopf and notes that he has a younger brother, Dylan. Publicly available information does not provide extensive details about his childhood beyond his hometown, family, and athletic development.

Weisskopf's high school accomplishments established the foundation for his collegiate opportunity. During his three-year football career at Williamsburg, he helped the Raiders build a successful program that advanced through multiple postseason campaigns.

Williamsburg reached the state playoffs in 2021, finished as a Class 2A state runner-up in 2022, and captured the Class 3A state championship in 2023. Weisskopf contributed throughout that period, earning recognition for his defensive production and offensive versatility.

His junior season demonstrated his ability to make plays across the field. He recorded 59.5 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, and intercepted six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Offensively, he caught 37 passes for 628 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also averaged 39.4 yards per punt.

As a sophomore, Weisskopf recorded 80 tackles, including 67 solo stops, three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and 372 receiving yards with five touchdowns. Those numbers reflected a player capable of contributing consistently rather than relying on a single specialty.

His senior campaign brought another impressive collection of statistics. He passed for 1,123 yards and 20 touchdowns, rushed for 317 yards and two scores, and caught 14 passes for 212 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, he totaled 58.5 tackles, including 50 solo stops, four interceptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and one fumble recovery. He also averaged 37.7 yards per punt.

These accomplishments earned him significant recognition, including Adidas All-American honors, first-team all-state defensive back recognition, a Class 3A all-state captain designation, and district MVP honors. He was also invited to participate in the Shrine Bowl.

His performances attracted attention from college programs, including Iowa, allowing him to continue his football career close to home.

At 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, Weisskopf has the physical dimensions of a linebacker. His earlier experience at safety and other positions also gives context to his development as a defensive player.

His high school interception totals demonstrate a history of producing turnovers, while his tackling numbers reflect an ability to contribute consistently against the run and passing game. His background on offense adds another dimension to his athletic experience, although those high school accomplishments should not be confused with established production at the college level.

His multi-sport background is another notable part of his profile. Weisskopf earned four letters in basketball and four in track and field. In basketball, he played forward and received multiple all-state honors. In track, he became a three-time conference high jump champion and won two Class 2A state high jump championships. He also won a conference shot put title and finished second at the state championships as a junior.

These achievements establish a broad athletic résumé, though specific details about his current training program, speed measurements, and individual strength benchmarks have not been publicly documented.

Weisskopf's high school career included several notable honors: Adidas All-American recognition, multiple all-state selections, a district MVP award, and participation in a state championship-winning football team.

At Iowa, his first season in 2024 did not include game action. Nevertheless, the program recognized him with its defensive Team Leader Award, and he earned a place on the Dean's List in spring 2025.

In 2025, he appeared in 12 games. He recorded his first career solo tackle in Iowa's 25-24 victory over Penn State, collected three assisted tackles in a 41-3 win over Minnesota, and returned a kickoff for 11 yards against Oregon.

He also earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition and made the Dean's List in fall 2025 and spring 2026.

Weisskopf's development at Iowa involves more than football. His academic honors indicate that he has maintained a strong academic record while navigating the demands of college athletics.

He is pursuing a degree in sport and recreation management, an area connected to the broader sports industry. His ability to balance academic responsibilities with team commitments is an important part of his collegiate experience.

Away from football, the official Iowa biography lists hunting and golfing among his interests. Public information about charitable activities, specific community initiatives, personal adversity, or significant injuries is limited. There is no verified basis to attribute an unreported hardship or comeback narrative to his career.

Entering the 2026 season as a third-year Hawkeye, Weisskopf remains part of Iowa's linebacker group. The official roster lists him at 233 pounds, reflecting his current college playing profile.

Iowa's published biography records a solo tackle in the team's 40-0 season-opening shutout against Northern Illinois in 2026. That documented contribution provides an early-season marker, but it does not establish a broader statistical trend or guarantee a particular future role.

His next challenge is to build on his experience, continue developing within Iowa's defensive system, and compete for opportunities as the season progresses. His versatility and history of defensive production offer useful context for his potential, while his actual contributions will ultimately determine how his college career develops.

Weisskopf's football journey already includes accomplishments that extend beyond a single position or season. At Williamsburg, he helped deliver a state championship while producing as a defender, receiver, passer, and punter. His success in basketball and track further distinguishes his athletic background.

At Iowa, the measure of his progress will be different. College football demands sustained performance against stronger competition, and his high school achievements are a foundation rather than a guarantee of future success.

Still, Weisskopf represents the kind of homegrown Iowa athlete whose journey connects high school excellence with the challenge of competing at the collegiate level.

Derek Weisskopf's path from Williamsburg to the Iowa Hawkeyes is a story of versatility, preparation, and continued development. His state championship experience, defensive production, multi-sport accomplishments, and academic recognition provide a substantial foundation for his collegiate career.

His legacy at Iowa is still being written. What stands out already is the breadth of experience he brings to the linebacker position and the opportunity ahead of him to turn that foundation into a more significant role in Hawkeye football.