Drake’s Love Affair With Football Rekindled Through Adversity

LARAMIE -- "This cannot be real."

That thought immediately entered Dante Drake's mind as he crumbled to the turf inside War Memorial Stadium. It happened on a tempo run -- in summer conditioning, no less -- an exercise supposed to promote mental toughness and boost endurance.

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One second, the 300-pound defensive tackle was bursting off the line. The next, he was reaching for the back of his left ankle area.

"I knew instantly what had happened," the junior from Robinson, Texas said. "It was kind of like an out-of-body experience."

He suffered a ruptured Achilles last July, an injury that can take up to a year to heal after surgery. The tendon connecting the heel to the calf was gone.

So was Drake's entire season.

"That was one of the hardest things," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said. "I was literally 10 feet from him last year when he blew his Achilles and went in with him to the training room. Look, when you see a guy that you really, really have a strong appreciation for sitting on a training-room table crying because he knew what just happened to him, it kills you. I mean, it absolutely kills you.

"The only thing you can do is stay with the guy in the moment and try to help him."

Drake's teammates, especially his running mates in the trenches, raved about his work ethic and drive during last offseason. He was setting himself up for a breakout season. They knew it. So did he.

That only added to the grief, he admitted.

"Honestly, it was just truly heartbreaking, man," Drake added. "Just losing it all in a split second. I mean, you're not really expecting it. So, to go out like that -- out of your control -- it hurts."

After redshirting during his freshman season, Drake, a former three-star recruit who was courted by Nebraska, Louisiana Tech, UTSA and others, appeared in 11 games in 2024, tallying eight tackles, including 3.5 for loss. Five of those stops came in a home tilt with San Diego State.

"He's going to be a big part of this defensive line, and I'm excited to see him every day," former teammate and nose tackle Ben Florentine said last spring. "He's for sure going to be an impact player this year."

That was the original plan.

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The reality of the situation -- and the adversity that came with it -- served as a reset, of sorts, Drake said. Was he glad it happened? Obviously not. But it gave him a new perspective. Through those lingering months of misery, a love affair was again realized.

"I can't put it into words, man, but it's one of those things that just helps you grow," he added. "If you really love the game of football, it'll just make you love it 10 times more. And, I mean, missed it so much.

"Having the opportunity to be able to miss it just makes me love it and enjoy it 10 times more."

Big No. 92 was back on the practice field this spring. Per usual, he could be spotted tossing around interior offensive linemen and methodically making his way into the backfield. And to think, he was being limited by the staff for obvious reasons.

Drake has a babyface and a sparkling smile, but after the ball is snapped, he's a menace in every sense of the word.

That's why, despite not playing a single snap last fall, Sawvel still had Drake in his Top-10 list of "keepers" this offseason. Appearing on that docket essentially means you're irreplaceable.

"I love Dante Drake," Sawvel said. "I think we've had a really good relationship develop over time. I think that where Dante is right now, he's in a great spot ... Dante's spirit has been great. His attitude has been great."

The feeling is mutual.

"It feels great, man, just for him to have that confidence in me," Drake said. "I put in the work. I feel like every coach has seen that I put in the work. So, it just feels great to see that that's acknowledged."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players