Ferris State's Deron Irving-Bey Stands As One Of The Big Men In The Middle Of Imposing Defensive Front
By Sandy Gholston
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- Anyone searching for reasons why Ferris State is making its third trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game in four seasons could take a hard look at the defense – beginning with its line play.
One of the big reasons for the success of that stout Ferris State defense is 6-foot-5, 300-pound Flint, Michigan native Deron Irving-Bey, who will help lead the Bulldogs into the title game against Valdosta State University at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. (ET).
The Bulldogs practiced on Thursday, Dec. 19 at McKinney High School as their preparation continues for Saturday.
"Our focus is on giving our best effort out there at all times because we know we're going to play like we practice," Irving-Bey said. "That's how we approach the work that we do to make sure we're at our best on game day."
That approach has paid off for the team and for one of the big men in the middle of that Ferris State defense.
During his Bulldog career, to date, Irving-Bey has 53 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. He has been a major run-stopper for Ferris State who can also put pressure on the opposing quarterback.
"I feel like this year we have one of the better defensive line groups we've had in the time that I've been playing at Ferris State," said Irving-Bey, who prepped at Southwestern Academy High School in Flint where he came out as a highly touted prospect. "You know one of the things that helps make us as strong as we've been has been that we have great chemistry, and we know we can count on each other, and we can learn from each other."
That defensive line includes the likes of Victor Nelson, Ralph Carter, Tyrone Fowler, Tim Allen, Stanley Lambert, Sio Saipaia, Jake Plamondon, Sheldon Cage and others who rotate in and out to keep the pressure on opposing offensive linemen.
Ferris State's defense has had strong performances during this year's playoff run, including holding a powerful passing offense in Central Oklahoma to 17 points in a 78-17 win over Nov. 30, before holding the defending national champions, Harding, to seven, in a 41-7 Bulldog win on Dec. 7.
"I feel like the sky is the limit for us," said Irving-Bey, a Sports Communication major who previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies from the College of Arts, Sciences and Education in Spring 2024. "The thing we have to do, that we've been doing, is to keep working hard and keep getting better. The first game we had this season was an L for us, but we've worked hard as a team to keep getting better and better as the season has gone on to where we are now."
What was one of the secrets to success?
"We started counting on each other more and being there even more for each other, holding each other accountable," said Irving-Bey, who is counting his blessing to be playing in his third and final season at Ferris State. "That's helped us grow and get better as a defense. We want to keep playing. We still have a big goal ahead for us."
The Bulldogs and the Blazers kick off in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game from McKinney ISD Stadium at 2 p.m.
"We have an opportunity to keep doing what we love," said Irving-Bey, who was initially told he would have one year of eligibility but eventually had three after transferring to Ferris State. "I feel very blessed to be here."