Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Tanos Potter

Derrick Moore is an American professional football player who plays defensive end for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 6, 2002, in Baltimore, Maryland, Moore became a standout defensive player at the University of Michigan before entering the NFL in 2026.
Beyond his football achievements, Moore shares a particularly close relationship with his mother, Jakia Stewart, who has supported him throughout his athletic journey. His father is Derrick Moore Sr., although the NFL player has generally focused his public discussions about family on his mother’s influence.
Moore has also acknowledged having a girlfriend, but he maintains considerable privacy regarding her identity. Here is everything publicly known about Derrick Moore’s girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Derrick Moore’s Girlfriend: Is He in a Relationship?
Derrick Moore publicly acknowledged having a girlfriend during an interview following his selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2026 NFL Draft.
According to an April 2026 report published by The Wolverine through On3, Moore revealed that he was speaking with his girlfriend when he received a telephone call from Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
The call informed Moore that the Lions had selected him with the 44th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft.
While describing the unexpected moment, Moore explained that he and his girlfriend had been talking when his phone rang. He initially appeared surprised before answering the call and learning that Detroit wanted him on its roster.
His comments confirmed that he was romantically involved with someone at the time of the draft.
However, Moore did not identify his girlfriend by name during the interview.
As of now, reliable public reporting has not established her full identity, age, educational background or professional occupation.
Although Moore has become increasingly recognizable through his performances at Michigan and his arrival in the NFL, he has largely kept his romantic life outside the public spotlight.
Who Is Derrick Moore’s Girlfriend?
The identity of Derrick Moore’s girlfriend has not been independently verified through official NFL biographies or established sports reporting.
Although he referred to his girlfriend during his April 2026 draft interview, he did not provide additional information about their relationship.
There is also insufficient reliable information to establish when they began dating or how they first met.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to identify a particular woman as Moore’s girlfriend without supporting evidence.
Is Derrick Moore Married?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Derrick Moore is married.
His comments during the 2026 NFL Draft identified a girlfriend rather than a wife, and the available official player biographies do not document a wedding.
However, the absence of a public marriage announcement does not establish his current marital status with certainty.
Derrick Moore’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, Derrick Moore has no publicly confirmed children.
Neither his official Detroit Lions biography nor his University of Michigan athletic profile identifies any sons or daughters.
Moore has also not made a widely documented announcement confirming that he has become a father.
Most of his public discussions about family have focused on his mother, his childhood in Baltimore and the importance of supporting the people who helped him succeed.
Therefore, there is insufficient verified information to establish whether he has children.
Derrick Moore’s Parents: Meet Jakia Stewart and Derrick Moore Sr.
Derrick Moore was born to Jakia Stewart and Derrick Moore Sr., according to the official biographies published by the University of Michigan and the Detroit Lions.
He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where his mother played an especially important role in his upbringing.
Moore has repeatedly described his family as a major source of motivation, particularly when discussing the sacrifices made during his childhood.
Derrick Moore’s Mother: Who Is Jakia Stewart?
Jakia Stewart is Derrick Moore’s mother and one of the most influential people in his personal and professional development.
She raised and supported him in Baltimore, Maryland, encouraging his athletic interests and helping him pursue opportunities in competitive sports.
In reporting published by The Michigan Daily and subsequently discussed by Sports Illustrated, Stewart recalled her son’s early interest in basketball, wrestling and football.
Basketball was initially Moore’s favorite sport, but his physical playing style made football a more suitable option.
Stewart noticed that her son enjoyed physical competition and contact, characteristics that eventually helped him develop into a successful defensive lineman.
As his football abilities improved, Moore became one of Maryland’s most highly regarded high school prospects.
His mother’s support remained important as he began receiving scholarship offers from major college football programs.
When Moore eventually joined the University of Michigan, he wanted to make sure his mother could remain close to him.
Derrick Moore Moved His Mother to Michigan
One of the strongest examples of Moore’s relationship with his mother came when he helped her relocate from Baltimore to Michigan.
During his introductory interview after being drafted by the Detroit Lions in April 2026, Moore revealed that he had moved his mother to Michigan during his freshman year of college.
The decision meant that they could remain close while he pursued his football career at the University of Michigan.
According to the Detroit Lions’ official website, Moore described Michigan as his second home and explained that both he and his mother had become comfortable living in the area.
He also expressed excitement about remaining in Michigan after joining the Lions.
For Moore, being drafted by Detroit represented more than an opportunity to begin his professional football career. It also meant he would not need to relocate far from his mother.
His comments demonstrated how important family stability had become to him during his transition from college football to the NFL.
Derrick Moore’s Father: Who Is Derrick Moore Sr.?
Derrick Moore Sr. is Derrick Moore’s father.
His name is confirmed in the official biographies published by the University of Michigan and the Detroit Lions.
However, considerably less information about Moore Sr. is available compared with the public interviews involving Jakia Stewart.
Reliable official sources do not provide extensive information about his occupation, education or personal background.
Moore has spoken about overcoming challenges during his upbringing, with his mother serving as a central figure in his development.
Although some reporting has discussed difficulties involving his father’s absence during childhood, Moore has not provided extensive publicly verified information about their present relationship.
Consequently, it would be inappropriate to make unsupported claims about the nature of their relationship today.
Derrick Moore’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
As of now, there is insufficient verified public information establishing whether Derrick Moore has brothers or sisters.
His official University of Michigan and Detroit Lions biographies identify his parents but do not provide details about siblings.
Public interviews about his family have primarily focused on his relationship with his mother and the role she played in supporting his athletic career.
Although Moore has referred to teammates as his brothers when discussing the strong relationships formed through football, those comments do not establish biological family relationships.
Therefore, the names and number of any siblings remain unverified.
It would also be inaccurate to describe Moore as an only child without reliable confirmation.
How Derrick Moore’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Derrick Moore grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where he developed an interest in competitive sports at a young age.
Before concentrating on football, he participated in basketball and wrestling.
His physical strength and competitive nature eventually helped him discover his potential as a defensive football player.
Moore attended St. Frances Academy, one of Maryland’s leading high school football programs.
During his senior season in 2021, he recorded 55 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.
His performances helped St. Frances achieve an 8-1 record and establish itself among the nation’s leading high school football teams.
Moore earned several individual honors, including the 2021 MaxPreps Maryland High School Football Player of the Year award.
He also participated in the Under Armour All-American Game, where he received Most Valuable Player recognition after recording two sacks.
His achievements attracted scholarship offers from several major college football programs.
Moore eventually chose the University of Michigan, where he joined the Wolverines for the 2022 season.
His decision provided an opportunity to pursue his football ambitions while building a new life in Michigan alongside his mother.
Derrick Moore’s College Football Career at Michigan
Derrick Moore played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 2022 through 2025.
He made an immediate contribution during his freshman season, appearing in all 14 games and recording eight tackles and two sacks.
His role increased during the 2023 season, when he participated in all 15 games and helped Michigan win the College Football Playoff National Championship.
During that championship season, Moore recorded 34 tackles and five sacks.
He continued developing in 2024, establishing himself as an important member of Michigan’s defensive rotation.
In 2025, he became one of the team’s leaders and was selected as a captain by his teammates.
Moore enjoyed the most productive season of his college career, recording 30 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
His performances earned him First-Team All-Big Ten recognition from the conference’s coaches.
He was also named Michigan’s Defensive Player of the Year and received the Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player Award.
Across four college seasons, Moore appeared in 53 games and recorded 95 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks.
Throughout his time at Michigan, Moore continued emphasizing the importance of his family.
When announcing his decision to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, he publicly thanked his relatives, friends and mentors for supporting him during his college career.
Derrick Moore’s Family Celebrated His NFL Draft Selection
On April 24, 2026, the Detroit Lions selected Derrick Moore with the 44th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft.
Detroit traded up from the 50th overall selection to acquire the defensive end.
His selection represented the fulfillment of a childhood ambition and marked the beginning of his professional football career.
During his first interview following the announcement, Moore expressed excitement about remaining in Michigan.
He explained that his mother had already moved to the state during his college career, making the transition to Detroit particularly meaningful.
Moore also described the moment when the Lions contacted him, revealing that he was speaking with his girlfriend before answering the telephone call from general manager Brad Holmes.
His decision to remain in Michigan allowed him to continue building his career while maintaining close connections with loved ones.
As of now, Moore plays for the Detroit Lions, where he continues developing as an NFL defensive end.
Frequently Asked Questions About Derrick Moore’s Family
Who is Derrick Moore’s girlfriend?
Derrick Moore publicly acknowledged having a girlfriend during an interview following the 2026 NFL Draft. However, he has not revealed her identity through the reliable sources reviewed.
Is Derrick Moore married?
As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation that Derrick Moore is married.
Does Derrick Moore have children?
As of now, Derrick Moore has no publicly confirmed children.
Who is Derrick Moore’s mother?
Derrick Moore’s mother is Jakia Stewart. She supported his athletic development during childhood and later relocated to Michigan to remain close to him.
Who is Derrick Moore’s father?
Derrick Moore’s father is Derrick Moore Sr., whose name is confirmed in the official University of Michigan and Detroit Lions player biographies.
Does Derrick Moore have siblings?
There is insufficient reliable public information identifying Derrick Moore’s brothers or sisters.
Did Derrick Moore move his mother to Michigan?
Yes. Derrick Moore revealed in April 2026 that he moved his mother to Michigan during his freshman year at the University of Michigan.
Where is Derrick Moore from?
Derrick Moore was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where he attended St. Frances Academy before joining the University of Michigan.
How old is Derrick Moore?
Derrick Moore was born on December 6, 2002. He is 23 years old as of now.
What NFL team does Derrick Moore play for?
As of now, Derrick Moore plays defensive end for the Detroit Lions. The franchise selected him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 44th overall pick.

Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
