Drake Dunsmore

Drake Dunsmore
No. 81
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Date of birth: November 4, 1988
Place of birth: Lenexa, Kansas
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school: Overland Park (KS) Aquinas
College: Northwestern
NFL draft: 2012 / Round: 7 / Pick: 233
Career history
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 2011 Big Ten Tight End of the Year
  • First-team All-Big Ten (2011)
Northwestern records
  • Single-game receiving touchdowns (4)
  • Tight end career receiving yards (1567)
Career NFL statistics
Stats at NFL.com

Drake C. Dunsmore (born November 4, 1988) is a former American football tight end. Dunsmore attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School. During college he played for Northwestern. At Northwestern, he was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten Performer and the inaugural Big Ten Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year for the 2011 Northwestern Wildcats when he was a first team All-Big Ten Conference selection. Dunsmore was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection for the 2010 Wildcats. He holds the Northwestern single-game receiving touchdowns record and the career tight end receiving yards record. Drake Dunsmore is the son of Pat Dunsmore.

High school

Dunsmore finished in fourth place in the 2000 Kansas Kids State Wrestling Tournament in the 10-under age group in the 100-pound (45.36 kg) weight class.[1] Like his National Football League-veteran father, Pat, Drake Dunsmore never played organized football before high school.[2] He was a 2005 honorable mention All-Class 5A State selection as a junior.[3] He was a 2006 first team All-Class 5A State selection and third team All-State selection as a senior.[4][5] Dunsmore was the 20th rated tight end in the national high school class of 2007 according to ESPN and the 15th rated football player in the 2007 class in the state of Kansas according to Rivals.com.[6][7] He earned three varsity letters in track and two in baseball.[8] Dunsmore chose Northwestern over competing football scholarships from Arizona State, Kansas State, Tulsa and Colorado State for a variety of reasons, including academics, the coaching staff and the fact that two aunts and a grandmother reside close to campus.[2] He declined his invitation to participate in the August 3, 2007, Kansas Shrine Bowl due to his ongoing rehabilitation.[9]

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Drake Dunsmore
TE		 Overland Park, Kansas St. Thomas Aquinas (KS) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 214.5 lb (97.3 kg) 4.6 Aug 20, 2006 
Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 15 (KS)  ESPN: 20 (TE)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

College

2007–08

Dunsmore was one of two Northwestern true freshmen to play for the 2007 Northwestern Wildcats.[8] He had a pair of 35-yard receptions against Duke on September 15, 2007.[10] He was named to the 2007 Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team.[11] Dunsmore redshirted for the 2008 Big Ten Conference football season after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament on the fifth day of practice during his sophomore year.[8][12]

2009

On September 19, 2009, Dunsmore had a 10-reception, 90-yard effort against Syracuse Orange, including a 22-yard touchdown.[13] He caught the touchdown that gave the 2009 Wildcats a 14–10 lead over the then-undefeated 9–0 number 4-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes in their 17–10 November 7 victory that gave Northwestern its sixth victory of the season and made them bowl-eligible.[14][15] In the January 1, 2010 Outback Bowl, he tallied 120 yards receiving on 9 receptions as part of Mike Kafka's 532-yard passing effort against Auburn Tigers.[16] The 66-yard Kafka to Dunsmore touchdown is the longest passing touchdown in Northwestern bowl game history.[17] He was the second leading receiver among Big Ten tight ends (behind Garrett Graham) for the 2009 Big Ten Conference football season although he only started 7 of 13 games in 2009.[8] Dunsmore earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition.[18]

2010

Two of Dunsmore's five receptions were touchdowns in the September 11 victory against Illinois State.[19] He posted an 8-reception effort in a 21–17 victory over a number 13-ranked Iowa team on November 13.[20] Dunsmore earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition a second time.[21] He was a 2010 honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches and media) selection.[22]

2011

Dunsmore had a four-touchdown, 112-yard game against Indiana in a 59–38 victory on October 29.[23] The four receiving touchdowns set a Northwestern record, while tying a Memorial Stadium record, and earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.[24] He earned his third Academic All-Big Ten recognition.[25] Dunsmore was a 2011 first team All-Big Ten (coaches and media) selection.[26] He established the Northwestern career receiving yards record for tight ends of 1567 yards and was one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award.[27] Dunsmore was the inaugural 2011 Big Ten Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year.[28]

Pre-draft

Dunsmore finished fifth among tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.64.[29] He had a pair of first place finishes among tight ends in the 3 cone drill with a time of 6.73 and in the 20-yard shuttle with a time of 4.03.[30][31] He finished third among tight ends in the 60-yard shuttle with a time of 11.47.[32] He ranked fifth among tight ends in both the bench press with a total of 21 and in the vertical jump with a height of 35.5 inches (90 cm).[33][34] He placed seventh among tight ends in the standing long jump with a distance of 9 feet 9 inches (2.97 m).[35]

Pre-draft measurables
Ht WtArm lengthHand size 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP
6 ft 2 in 241 lb323⁄4 in95⁄8 in 4.64 s 4.03 s 6.73 s 35.5 in 9 ft 9 in 21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[36]

Professional career

Dunsmore was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 233rd selection overall. He is one of two Northwestern Wildcats and 41 Big Ten players drafted.[37] He is small for an NFL tight end.[38] According to ESPN's Todd McShay, Dunsmore is projected as a special teams player.[39]

On May 7, 2012, Buccaneers.com announced that Dunsmore had agreed to a four-year deal with Buccaneers, making him officially a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers's Roster. The deal is reportedly worth $2.15 million over four years. [40] Dunsmore began the 2012 NFL season on the practice squad for the Buccaneers.[41] Following the 2013 NFL Draft and the Buccaneers undrafted free agent signings, Dunsmore retired.[42]

References

  1. ↑ "Bradley wins 9th straight Kansas Kids wrestling title". The Topeka Capital-Journal. 2000-03-27. p. D7.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hayes, Neil (2007-02-08). "Like father, like son: Ex-Bear's son gives Wildcats strong options at tight end". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2012-04-29. (subscription required (help)). Not playing football before his sophomore year was not a handicap for Dunsmore, who played on the varsity for three seasons. It was the same way with his father. Pat was a high school basketball player who didn't play football until his senior year and still earned a scholarship to Drake.
  3. ↑ "Football All-Class". The Topeka Capital-Journal. 2005-12-04. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  4. ↑ "All-Class football players listed". The Topeka Capital-Journal. 2006-12-03. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  5. ↑ Maycock, Brent (2006-12-03). "Quarterbacks rule All-State Top 11 in 2006". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  6. ↑ "Drake Dunsmore". ESPN. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  7. ↑ "Drake Dunsmore". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "9 Drake Dunsmore". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  9. ↑ Maycock, Brent (2007-08-03). "Replacements refill rosters". Oakland Tribune/The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2012-04-29. Dunsmore...pulled out after coming off injuries
  10. ↑ Dienhart, Tom (2007-09-15). "Blue Devils build lead, hold on to stop 22-game slide". Sporting News. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  11. ↑ Dienhart, Tom (2007-12-15). "2007 Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team". Sporting News. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  12. ↑ O'Donnell, Jim (2008-08-13). "Purple eyeing blue skies". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2012-04-29. On offense, the Wildcats suffered their first major injury of the preseason when an MRI exam confirmed that sophomore Drake Dunsmore tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the season. Dunsmore was projected as the No. 2 superback -- a fullback/tight end hybrid in the contemporary NU offense -- behind Josh Rooks...
  13. ↑ "Syracuse hits 41-yard field goal to edge Northwestern". ESPN. 2009-09-19. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  14. ↑ "Iowa Loses Quarterback, Game and Undefeated Season". The New York Times. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  15. ↑ "Northwestern 17 (6-4, 3-3 Big Ten); (4) Iowa 10 (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten)". ESPN. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  16. ↑ "Auburn's field goal in OT holds up as Northwestern's trick play fails". ESPN. 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  17. ↑ "Bowl Records". HailToPurple.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  18. ↑ "2009‐10 Academic All-Big Ten". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  19. ↑ "Illinois St 3 (1-1, 0-1 away); Northwestern 37 (2-0, 1-0 home)". ESPN. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  20. ↑ "Dan Persa injured after helping Northwestern top Iowa for 5th time in 6 games". ESPN. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  21. ↑ "Big Ten Announces Fall Academic All-Conference Honorees". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  22. ↑ "Big Ten Announces 2010 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  23. ↑ "Northwestern romps as Indiana gives up more than 40 points for 4th straight game". ESPN. 2011-10-29. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  24. ↑ "Four Big Ten Schools Collect Weekly Football Honors: Penn State linebacker Gerald Hodges earns second straight defensive accolade". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  25. ↑ "Big Ten Honors Fall Academic All-Big Ten Recipients" (PDF). BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. 2011-12-07. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  26. ↑ "2011 Big Ten Individual Award Winners". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  27. ↑ "Drake Dunsmore Named Semifinalist for John Mackey Award: Senior superback is one of eight remaining honorees". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. 2011-11-14. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  28. ↑ "Big Ten Announces 2011 All-Big Ten Teams and Select Individual Award Winners". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  29. ↑ "Top Performers (40-yard dash)". NFL.com. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  30. ↑ "Top Performers (3 cone drill)". NFL.com. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  31. ↑ "Top Performers (20-yard shuttle)". NFL.com. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  32. ↑ "Top Performers (60-yard shuttle)". NFL.com. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  33. ↑ "Top Performers (bench press)". NFL.com. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  34. ↑ "Top Performers (vertical jump)". NFL.com. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  35. ↑ "Top Performers (broad jump)". NFL.com. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  36. ↑ "TE03 Drake Dunsmore TE Northwestern". NFL.com. Retrieved 2012-04-29..
  37. ↑ "2012 NFL Draft Central". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. 2012-04-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  38. ↑ Pompei, Dan (2012-02-29). "Seller's market for tight ends: Bears need help, but NFL draft pickings slim". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
  39. ↑ Greenstein, Teddy (2012-04-17). "ESPN's McShay analyzes NU's top NFL prospects". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
  40. ↑ "Drake Dunsmore Contract Terms listed". Rotoworld.com. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  41. ↑ Yasinskas, Pat (2012-09-03). "Bucs bring back DT Wallace Gilberry". ESPN. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  42. ↑ Wilkening, Mike. "Buccaneers part ways with Corvey Irvin, Derek Hardman". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

External links