Kenyan Drake

Kenyan Drake's Biography

Kenyan Drake is a former American National Football League (NFL) player born on January 26, 1994. Throughout his robust career spanning almost a decade, Drake exhibited his skills as a running back for several NFL teams. He began his college career at the University of Alabama and later made his mark in the professional league, playing for the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers.

Drake’s journey to the NFL started in his high school years at Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. By the time he was a senior, he had already rushed for 1,610 yards with 18 touchdowns, winning the Gatorade Football Player of the Year award for Georgia. His athletic prowess saw Drake rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com. He received offers to play at Alabama, Georgia, and Georgia Tech, choosing to commit to the University of Alabama.

As a true freshman at the University of Alabama from 2012-2015 under head coach Nick Saban, he played backup to Eddie Lacy and T. J. Yeldon; nonetheless, he showcased his skillset through his performance, including rushing for 281 yards on 42 carries with five touchdowns in the 2012 season. A broken leg in 2014 left Drake on the sidelines for most of the season, but he returned strong in 2015, rushing for 408 yards on 77 carries and an impressive 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.

The Miami Dolphins drafted Drake in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft, and he took the field in his professional debut against the Seattle Seahawks. He scored his first professional rushing touchdown against the New England Patriots in the subsequent game and played all 16 games in his rookie year, rushing for 179 yards with two touchdowns. Drake ascended to the position of starting running back for Miami after injuries to fellow players, finishing the 2017 season with a total of 644 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

Drake stood out during the 2018 season, scoring five receivers’ touchdowns and executing an unforgettable play dubbed the “Miracle in Miami”, where he assisted in a thrilling win against the Patriots. His time with the Dolphins came to an end in 2019 when he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.

During his stint with the Cardinals, Drake proved his mettle again, finishing the 2019 season with 817 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, and 50 receptions. Despite a decline in performance and injuries during his 2020 season, including a distant game against the Patriots, he managed a season total of 955 rushing yards and ten touchdowns.

In March 2021, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in a two-year deal, although his season performance was cut short due to a broken right ankle. The Raiders released Drake in August 2022, and he spent his final playing days in short stints with the Ravens, Colts, Browns, and Packers. Drake exhibited commendable performances, particularly with the Ravens, rushing 119 yards against the New York Giants and making two touchdowns during a game against the New Orleans Saints.

Drake announced his retirement on July 19, 2024, winding up eight seasons of professional football. While his career had its fair share of ups and downs, injuries, and squadron changes, Drake left an indelible mark on the NFL, demonstrating resilience, talent, and a determination that lent significantly to his teams’ impacts over the years.