T.C.Drake

A part-time starter at tight end last season … Has shown the ability to be a factor in the passing game … Blessed with excellent height, he has worked to add the strength necessary for the position … Contributes on several special teams … Played in 38 games, making nine starts.

2008 (Junior): Played in all 13 games, starting eight … Caught 12 passes for 204 yards and an excellent 17.0 yards per catch … Top game was four catches for 82 yards in the win over Middle Tennessee … Had a career-long 37-yard catch vs. Arkansas.

2007 (Sophomore): Saw action in all 13 games … Played on special teams and as the backup to All-SEC tight end Jacob Tamme … Recorded his first career reception and touchdown catch when he hauled in a tipped pass in the back of the end zone to give Kentucky a 7-0 advantage over LSU.

2006 (Freshman): Played in 12 games, including one start against Louisiana-Monroe in place of the injured Jacob Tamme … Made one tackle on special teams … Enrolled in January, 2006, after a prep season at Hargrave Military Academy.

Prep School: Played the 2005 season at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. … Helped Hargrave achieve an 8-3 record … Caught 25 passes for 175 yards … Had one catch for 16 yards in a Hargrave win over the Kentucky junior varsity … The nation’s No. 32 prep-school prospect by Rivals.com … Coached at Hargrave by Robert Prunty … “T. C. reminded us of Leonard Pope (Georgia All-American tight end who also played at Hargrave) in that he was the same kind of blocker and had the same type of body when Leonard was here,” said Brian White, Hargrave assistant coach. “T. C. had the best hands on the team this year, including the wide receivers and running backs, and you can expect big things out of him as a blocker.” … Chose Kentucky over North Carolina State and Virginia.

High School: Three-year letterman and two-year starter at Nelson County HS in Bardstown, Ky. … Team went to the state playoffs all three years he was on the varsity … All-district as a senior … Showed big-play ability with 15 receptions for approximately 400 yards and seven touchdowns … Coached at Nelson County by Bill Mason … “T.C. was a monster for us,” Mason said. “It’s not often you see a player with his skills and athletic ability enjoy blocking like he did. He was on a different level for a high-school tight end. He’s a great kid from a great family and made such a step of maturity during his time at Hargrave.” … Three-year letterman on the basketball team … Led team in scoring and field-goal percentage.

Personal: Born in Bardstown, Ky. … Son of Terry and Lysa Drake … Terry played basketball at Campbellsville University and St. Catharine College … Major is community communications and leadership development.

Community Cats: Participated in a service event at the YMCA (2007).