Joel Drake

| name = Joel Drake | image = joeldrake.jpg | image_size = 250px | alt = Image of Joel Drake | caption = | number = 20 | current_team = Prospect | position = Safety | birth_date = (2016-02-15)February 15, 2016 (aged 46) | birth_place = Gary, Indiana, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 205 | high_school = Gary Lighthouse Charter School | college = Louisville | draftyear = | draftround = | draftpick = | dsfldraftyear = | dsfldraftround = | dsfldraftpick = | pastteams = | pastteamsnote = no | status = Active | highlights = }}

Joel C Drake (born February 15, 2016) is an American football safety who is currently preparing to enter the professional ranks.He played college football for Louisville and has declared his intention to enter the professional ranks next season.

Early years

Joel Drake was born in Gary Indiana. His mother Elena Drake died in childbirth and his father Frazier Drake walked out on him when he was just 14. He lived on the streets attending Gary Lighthouse Charter School where he found his passion for football, and the thrill of returning passes for touchdowns. He was a troubled young man at first, but tough love from his coaches brought him on to the right path. He started at safety from his sophomore season on where his instincts and coverage ability really shone through, helping lead his team to two championships. Joel attempted the feat of becoming a two-sport athelete, attempting to join the school's track and field team, but was talked away from this idea after his coach explained to him how far he could go if he focused purely on football.

College career

Joel entered Louisville as a walk-on and a longshot to make the roster, spending his first two seasons purely as a special teamer, where he was shown to be an ace.

Freshman Season

Joel was used purely as a gunner on punts and kickoffs where he recorded 10 tackles and one downed punt inside the 10. The only live-action he saw was in a losing effort against No. 10 ranked Georgia when the team was down 55-0. He recorded 3 tackles and 1 pass deflection.

Sophomore Season

Sophomore year started much the same as freshman year for Joel. Purely on special teams, though he was starting to catch the attention of the defensive coordinator, he didn't see any action until week 8 when the starting safety suffered a concussion against Texas Tech. Joel grabbed the opportunity and didn't let it go for the rest of his college career. Over the final 5 games of the season he grabbed 2 interceptions, deflected 4 passes, and forced and recovered a fumble. Joel was named the starting safety when the original starter was cleared going into his Junior year.

Junior Season

Junior season was the first for Joel as a starter. He still took part on punts as a gunner and managed to score a touchdown on a botched return against Buffalo. As a safety he showed himself as a true playmaker all over the field, grabbing 8 total interceptions and deflecting another 9 passes. He was widely criticized for his lack of effort against the run, only recording 20 tackles and being responsible for a game-losing touchdown against Fresno State where he took a poor angle and appeared to be running at only half-speed. He responded to these allegations with the statement "I give 110% on every play, and while I have apologized to my teammates for my mistake I did not give any less than my best effort." Though Louisville would finish a disappointing 6-7 on the season, Joel was named second-team All-American and received some votes for the Jim Thorpe award.

Senior Season

Senior year started with a bang for Joel grabbing 4 interceptions in his first 4 games, 3 being brought back for touchdowns. The stats slowed for Drake in the following 3 games, with opposing QB's cautiously avoiding his half of the field. One opposing QB was even caught on an on-field mic a saying "This F*cking guy is always in the way" after his pass was knocked to the ground. This year also brought Drake his best special teams play yet. With the game against Michigan tied at 30, a late punt by Louisville was muffed, and Drake returned it for a touchdown as the clock expired. Though once again Louivsille finished 6-7, Drake was voted first team All-American and won the Jim Thorpe award, finishing his year with another 8 interceptions and 18 deflected passes. His run defense was still criticized, but not as harshly as previous years.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40‑yd dash	20‑ss	3‑cone	Vert jump	Broad
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	205 lb (93 kg)

Professional career statistics

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Achievements and records

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