{{Short description|American football player (born 1988)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{good article}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Drake Dunsmore | image = | image_size = | caption = | number = 81 | position = Tight end | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|11|4|mf=y}} | birth_place = Lenexa, Kansas, U.S. | high_school = St. Thomas Aquinas {{nowrap|(Overland Park, Kansas)}} | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lbs = 235 | college = Northwestern | draftyear = 2012 | draftround = 7 | draftpick = 233 | pastteams = * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2012}})* | highlights = * Big Ten Tight End of the Year (2011) * First-team All-Big Ten (2011) | pfr = DunsDr00 }}
'''Drake C. Dunsmore''' (born November 4, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats, earning inaugural Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors in 2011. 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.
==Early life== Dunsmore finished in fourth place in the 2000 Kansas Kids State Wrestling Tournament in the 10-under age group in the {{convert|100|lbs|kg|2|adj=on}} weight class.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 27, 2000 |title=Bradley wins 9th straight Kansas Kids wrestling title |page=D7 |work=The Topeka Capital-Journal |url=http://cjonline.com/stories/032700/spo_wrestling.shtml}}</ref> Like his National Football League-veteran father, Pat, Drake Dunsmore never played organized football before high school.<ref name="Lfls">{{Cite web |last=Hayes, Neil |date=February 8, 2007 |title=Like father, like son: Ex-Bear's son gives Wildcats strong options at tight end |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3720283.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611124222/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3720283.html |archive-date=June 11, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |quote=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.}}</ref> He was a 2005 honorable mention All-Class 5A State selection as a junior.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2005 |title=Football All-Class |url=http://cjonline.com/stories/120405/pre_fballclass.shtml |access-date=May 1, 2012 |website=The Topeka Capital-Journal}}</ref> He was a 2006 first-team All-Class 5A State selection and third-team All-State selection as a senior.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2006 |title=All-Class football players listed |url=http://cjonline.com/stories/120306/pre_allclass.shtml |access-date=May 1, 2012 |website=The Topeka Capital-Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maycock, Brent |date=December 3, 2006 |title=Quarterbacks rule All-State Top 11 in 2006 |url=http://cjonline.com/stories/120306/pre_allstatefb.shtml |access-date=May 1, 2012 |website=The Topeka Capital-Journal}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drake Dunsmore |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/41374/drake-dunsmore |access-date=May 1, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Drake Dunsmore |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Drake-Dunsmore-50236;_ylt=AukP2tTzCPXGK8Whh0lfff9DPZB4 |access-date=May 1, 2012 |publisher=Rivals.com}}</ref> He earned three varsity letters in track and two in baseball.<ref name=9DD/> 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.<ref name=Lfls/> He declined his invitation to participate in the August 3, 2007, Kansas Shrine Bowl due to his ongoing rehabilitation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maycock, Brent |date=August 3, 2007 |title=Replacements refill rosters |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7532254.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611124226/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7532254.html |archive-date=June 11, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=Oakland Tribune/The Topeka Capital-Journal |quote=Dunsmore...pulled out after coming off injuries}}</ref> {{College athlete recruit start|40=yes|collapse=no|year=2007}} {{College athlete recruit entry | recruit = Drake Dunsmore | position = TE | hometown = Overland Park, Kansas | highschool = St. Thomas Aquinas (KS) | feet = 6 | inches = 3 | weight = 214.5 | 40 = 4.6 | commitdate = August 20, 2006 | scout stars = 2 | rivals stars = 2 | espn grade = 77 }} {{College athlete recruit end | 40 = | year = 2007 | rivals ref title = Northwestern Football Commitments | scout ref title = 2007 Northwestern Football Commits | espn ref title = ESPN | rivals school = northwestern | scout s = 179 | espn schoolid = 77 | scout overall = | rivals overall = 15 (KS) | espn overall = 20 (TE) | access-date = April 29, 2012 | bball = }}
==College career== ;2007–08 Dunsmore was one of two Northwestern true freshmen to play for the 2007 Northwestern Wildcats.<ref name=9DD/> He had a pair of 35-yard receptions against Duke on September 15, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dienhart, Tom |date=September 15, 2007 |title=Blue Devils build lead, hold on to stop 22-game slide |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272580077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114005303/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272580077 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=Sporting News}}</ref> He was named to the 2007 Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dienhart, Tom |date=December 15, 2007 |title=2007 Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman Team |url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2007-12-14/2007-sporting-news-big-ten-all-freshman-team |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=Sporting News |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711004521/http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2007-12-14/2007-sporting-news-big-ten-all-freshman-team |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref name=9DD/><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Donnell, Jim |date=August 13, 2008 |title=Purple eyeing blue skies |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-1228B6349C6EABD8.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409173329/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-1228B6349C6EABD8.html |archive-date=April 9, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |quote=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...}}</ref>
;2009 On September 19, 2009, Dunsmore had a 10-reception, 90-yard effort against Syracuse Orange, including a 22-yard touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2009 |title=Syracuse hits 41-yard field goal to edge Northwestern |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=292620183 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114005509/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=292620183 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2009 |title=Iowa Loses Quarterback, Game and Undefeated Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/sports/ncaafootball/08game.html |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2009 |title=Northwestern 17 (6–4, 3–3 Big Ten); (4) Iowa 10 (9–1, 5–1 Big Ten) |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=293112294 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2010 |title=Auburn's field goal in OT holds up as Northwestern's trick play fails |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=300010002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113033741/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=300010002 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> The 66-yard Kafka to Dunsmore touchdown is the longest passing touchdown in Northwestern bowl game history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bowl Records |url=http://hailtopurple.com/cde/bowlrecords.html |access-date=May 1, 2012 |publisher=HailToPurple.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name="9DD">{{Cite web |title=9 Drake Dunsmore |url=http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dunsmore_drake00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608070416/http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dunsmore_drake00.html |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NUSports.com |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref> Dunsmore earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2009 |title=2009-10 Academic All-Big Ten |url=http://www.bigten.org/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/big10/genrel/auto_pdf/2009fallacademicABT |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213024252/http://www.bigten.org/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/big10/genrel/auto_pdf/2009fallacademicABT |archive-date=December 13, 2009 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=BigTen.org |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
;2010 Two of Dunsmore's five receptions were touchdowns in the September 11 victory against Illinois State.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2010 |title=Illinois St 3 (1–1, 0–1 away); Northwestern 37 (2–0, 1–0 home) |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=302540077 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> He posted an 8-reception effort in a 21–17 victory over a number 13-ranked Iowa team on November 13.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2010 |title=Dan Persa injured after helping Northwestern top Iowa for 5th time in 6 games |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=303170077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202070811/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=303170077 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Dunsmore earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition a second time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2010 |title=Big Ten Announces Fall Academic All-Conference Honorees |url=http://www.bigten.org/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/big10/genrel/auto_pdf/aabt-12210 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206145346/http://www.bigten.org/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/big10/genrel/auto_pdf/aabt-12210 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=BigTen.org |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref> He was a 2010 honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches and media) selection.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2010 |title=Big Ten Announces 2010 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors |url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aae.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222184331/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aae.html |archive-date=December 22, 2010 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=BigTen.org |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
;2011 Dunsmore had a four-touchdown, 112-yard game against Indiana in a 59–38 victory on October 29.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2011 |title=Northwestern romps as Indiana gives up more than 40 points for 4th straight game |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313020084 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114005503/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=313020084 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> The four receiving touchdowns set a Northwestern record, while tying a Memorial Stadium record, and earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2011 |title=Four Big Ten Schools Collect Weekly Football Honors: Penn State linebacker Gerald Hodges earns second straight defensive accolade |url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103111aaa.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101180506/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/103111aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2011 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=BigTen.org |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref> He earned his third Academic All-Big Ten recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2011 |title=Big Ten Honors Fall Academic All-Big Ten Recipients |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/2012_fall1_academic_abt.pdf |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=BigTen.org |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062455/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/2012_fall1_academic_abt.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dunsmore was a 2011 first-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media) selection.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2011 |title=2011 Big Ten Individual Award Winners |url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112811aad.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129235824/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112811aad.html |archive-date=November 29, 2011 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=BigTen.org |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2011 |title=Drake Dunsmore Named Semifinalist for John Mackey Award: Senior superback is one of eight remaining honorees |url=http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111411aaa.html |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NUSports.com |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904112153/http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111411aaa.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dunsmore was the inaugural 2011 Big Ten Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2011 |title=Big Ten Announces 2011 All-Big Ten Teams and Select Individual Award Winners |url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112811aad.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129235824/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112811aad.html |archive-date=November 29, 2011 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=BigTen.org |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
==Professional career== Dunsmore finished fifth among tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.64.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2012 |title=Top Performers (40-yard dash) |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2012&workout=FORTY_YARD_DASH&position=TE |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2012 |title=Top Performers (3 cone drill) |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2012&workout=THREE_CONE_DRILL&position=TE |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2012 |title=Top Performers (20-yard shuttle) |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2012&workout=TWENTY_YARD_SHUTTLE&position=TE |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He finished third among tight ends in the 60-yard shuttle with a time of 11.47.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2012 |title=Top Performers (60-yard shuttle) |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2012&workout=SIXTY_YARD_SHUTTLE&position=TE |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> 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 {{convert|35.5|in|cm}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2012 |title=Top Performers (bench press) |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2012&workout=BENCH_PRESS&position=TE |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2012 |title=Top Performers (vertical jump) |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2012&workout=VERTICAL_JUMP&position=TE |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He placed seventh among tight ends in the standing long jump with a distance of {{convert|9|ft|9|in|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2012 |title=Top Performers (broad jump) |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2012&workout=BROAD_JUMP&position=TE |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>
{{nfl predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 2 | weight = 241 | dash = 4.64 | ten split = | twenty split = | shuttle = 4.03 | cone drill = 6.73 | vertical = 35.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 9 | bench = 21 | wonderlic = | arm span = 32{{frac|3|4}} | hand span = 9{{frac|5|8}} | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |title=TE03 Drake Dunsmore TE Northwestern |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/drake-dunsmore?id=2533448 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}.</ref> }}
Dunsmore was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 233rd selection overall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2012/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He is one of two Northwestern Wildcats and 41 Big Ten players drafted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2012 |title=2012 NFL Draft Central |url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042612aac.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524062345/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042612aac.html |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=April 29, 2012 |website=BigTen.org |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref> He is small for an NFL tight end.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pompei, Dan |date=February 29, 2012 |title=Seller's market for tight ends: Bears need help, but NFL draft pickings slim |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/02/29/sellers-market-for-tight-ends/ |access-date=April 29, 2011 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> According to ESPN's Todd McShay, Dunsmore is projected as a special teams player.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenstein, Teddy |date=April 17, 2012 |title=ESPN's McShay analyzes NU's top NFL prospects |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/04/17/espns-mcshay-analyzes-nus-top-nfl-prospects/ |access-date=April 29, 2011 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>
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 was reportedly worth $2.15 million over four years. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Drake Dunsmore Contract Terms listed |url=http://rotoworld.com/player/nfl/7675/drake-dunsmore |access-date=May 15, 2012 |website=Rotoworld.com}}</ref> Dunsmore began the 2012 NFL season on the practice squad for the Buccaneers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yasinskas, Pat |date=September 3, 2012 |title=Bucs bring back DT Wallace Gilberry |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/38531/bucs-bring-back-dt-gilberry |access-date=September 5, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Following the 2013 NFL draft and the Buccaneers undrafted free agent signings, Dunsmore retired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilkening |first=Mike |date=May 12, 2013 |title=Buccaneers part ways with Corvey Irvin, Derek Hardman |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/buccaneers-part-ways-with-corvey-irvin-derek-hardman |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=NBC Sports}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120608070416/http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dunsmore_drake00.html Northwestern Wildcats bio] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924072043/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/keyword/drake-dunsmore Dunsmore archive] at ''Chicago Tribune'' *[https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/14996/drake-dunsmore Stats] at ESPN {{Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2012 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunsmore, Drake}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:American football tight ends Category:Northwestern Wildcats football players Category:People from Lenexa, Kansas Category:Players of American football from Johnson County, Kansas Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players