Wyoming’s Dante Drake Has Been a Menace in Trenches

LARAMIE -- How much has Dante Drake improved compared to this time a year ago?

"He's a lot better," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said, drawing out the vowels. "A lot better."

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The 6-foot-3, near 300-pound sophomore has been a menace in the trenches all spring. Whether it's a goal-line situation or a third-and-long, No. 92 has been a frequent visitor in the offensive backfield.

"He's showing up in every facet of what we want to do," new defensive tackles coach Deonte Gibson said last Thursday. "A guy like that, that young and playing at this level, I just want to continue for him to grow and play confidentially."

Drake, a Robinson, Texas native, was forced into action early last season thanks to a pair of offseason injuries to Lucas Samsula and Caleb Robinson. He tallied just eight tackles, five of which came in a home loss to San Diego State.

Jordan Bertagnole exhausted his eligibility. Jaden Williams is now at Kentucky via the NCAA Transfer Portal. Jayden Williams is also out this spring, rehabbing a lower-leg injury.

Drake is taking full advantage of the extra reps.

He's also showing why he was a three-star prospect, drawing interest from the likes of Nebraska, Louisiana Tech and UTSA.

"I'm ready to live up to those expectations, man," Drake told the media last Thursday inside the Cowboys' indoor practice facility. "I've been working ... I'm just really excited to prove coach Sawvel right. All his trust he has in me, just to make that come true."

The hands, footwork and pad level has impressed the boss. So have the gains in the weight room. Sawvel said Drake, who came to Laramie in 2023 a 260-pound freshman, played at 275 last fall. He's added nearly 20 more pounds to his frame this offseason.

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His position coach called him disruptive.

His teammate in the interior said Drake's new-found confidence has been on display, too.

"He's doing great," fellow tackle Ben Florentine said. "He's going to be a big part of this defensive line, and I'm excited to see him everyday. He's for sure going to be an impactful player this year. He's got a great pass rush, and I think if he just keeps doing what he's doing, he's going to be good."

Wyoming featured one of the worst rush defenses in the nation a year ago, allowing nearly 200 yards per game on the ground. The average of nearly six yards per attempt was just as alarming.

That all started up front.

Injuries played a major role. So did inconsistencies. Youth did, too.

Sawvel said Drake was forced to learn on the job. He's hoping that pays off when the calendar flips to August.

So far, so good.

"I feel like we're making great progress here, man," Drake added. "It's night and day from last year, and I'm just really excited for what the future's supposed to bring. I feel like we've been looking great. The line has been playing great.

"... I like the trend we're on. We just have to keep going."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players