By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
CANYON, Texas — Derrick Salley Jr. still remembers the nerves.
Last year’s national championship game brought excitement, pressure and the unknown stepping onto college football’s biggest junior college stage.
One year later, the Hutchinson Community College sophomore returns older, calmer and far more confident as he prepares to play his final game in a Blue Dragon uniform Wednesday night against Iowa Western in the national championship game.
“This year is different,” Salley said. “Last year was more nerve wracking. This year everybody is just ready. We’re ready for the challenge and ready to execute.”
Salley, a 6-foot-4, 216-pound wide receiver from Green Pond, South Carolina, has emerged as one of the nation’s most dangerous big-play threats. He enters the NJCAA national championship game with 49 receptions for 809 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Over two years at Hutchinson, Salley has totaled 68 catches for 1,126 yards and 17 touchdowns.
He has also been part of something rare.
Hutchinson is chasing a second straight national championship and a fourth straight win over Iowa Western, including two victories in the postseason.
“It means a lot,” Salley said. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve played them three times. This will be the fourth. To beat them four times in a row, twice in the regular season and twice in the playoffs, just shows we’re really the best team in the nation.”
Salley’s memories of last year’s championship run still stand out, especially the momentum-shifting plays that sealed the come-from-behind win for the title.
“Kordell (Gouldsby) sealed it for us,” Salley said, referencing Gouldsby’s punt return in the title game. “After that, the momentum was high and we just kept executing.”
Salley’s growth from freshman to sophomore has been evident not just statistically, but mentally.
“I’ve grown a lot,” he said. “The biggest thing for me was mental growth. Learning how to handle adversity. Not getting too high, not getting too low.”
At 6-foot-4, Salley’s size and catch radius have made him a matchup problem. He thrives in contested situations and high-point throws.
“Winning my 50-50 balls,” Salley said. “High-pointing catches. Just letting the quarterback throw it up.”
That ability was on display from the very beginning. In his first collegiate game against New Mexico Military Institute, Salley hauled in a one-handed touchdown grab.
“I remember that one,” he said with a smile. “First touchdown, first college game. That was pretty great.”
Salley credits the wide receiver room for pushing him to another level. Hutchinson’s group features depth, competition and chemistry built long before the season began.
“I feel like we have the best receiver room in the country,” Salley said. “It’s because of the bond we have on and off the field. In the offseason, we were always getting extra work. Extra catches, extra lifts. What you’re seeing now is what we earned.”
That offseason work extended to building chemistry with quarterback Christian Johnson.
“At first last year, we didn’t have a ton of chemistry,” Salley said. “But we put the work in during the offseason. Now our bond is the best it’s ever been, and that’s scary going into the national championship.”
Salley’s path to Hutchinson began far from Kansas, in Green Pond, population 2,000, a small rural town in South Carolina with one gas station and a tight-knit community.
“It’s real small and country,” Salley said. “Not many people make it out of where I’m from. Being able to do this shows the kids back home that it’s really possible.”
Football became part of Salley’s life early, playing in open fields with family members before being signed up at age six. His support system has remained central throughout his journey.
“My parents, my grandmother, my aunties and my cousins,” Salley said. “They made sacrifices for me. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I’m at.”
After starring at Ashley Ridge High School, Salley made the leap to junior college football, leaving home for Hutchinson as an 18-year-old. The transition was challenging, but transformative.
“At first it was rough,” he said. “I missed my family. But I knew once I finished here, I could give them the life I always wanted to give them.”
Salley says Hutchinson saved his football career.
“Without Hutch, I wouldn’t be going to Kansas State right now,” he said. “This place helped me through a rough patch in my life. I built permanent friendships here. This is a place I’ll never forget.”
Earlier this month, Salley signed with Kansas State, fulfilling a longtime dream of playing in the Big 12. He credits Hutchinson’s structure and preparation for making the jump to the Power Four level possible.
“Our program is run like a Power Four program,” Salley said. “The offense, the structure, everything. It gives us a jump start so we’re not behind when we get there.”
As he prepares to close his Hutchinson career on the national stage, Salley hopes his legacy is defined by more than numbers.
“I want people to remember my hard work and how good of a teammate I am,” he said. “No matter what’s going on, you’re going to get my best.”
One more game remains. One more opportunity to finish what he started.
“This is my last ride with my boys,” Salley said. “I’ve got to go out with a bang.”
Kickoff for the national championship game is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday from Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon, Texas. You can listen on Country 102.9-FM (KHUT) and sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) with Countdown to Kickoff beginning at 5 p.m. You can also watch the game on ESPNU.