Drake Dabney

Early life and college career

Dabney was born on May 14, 2002, and grew up in Cypress, Texas. He attended Cypress Ranch High School where he played football as a tight end and was one of his team's top receivers. He twice earned all-district honors and posted 35 catches for 476 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. A three-star recruit, Dabney initially committed to play college football for the Arizona Wildcats. He later changed his commitment to the Baylor Bears.

Dabney caught six passes for 57 yards in six games as a true freshman in 2020, then recorded 10 receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns while starting eight games for the Bears in 2021. He had 16 catches for 173 yards in 2022 before suffering a broken fibula, which ended his season. He opened the 2023 season with 101 receiving yards against Texas State, the best game for a Baylor tight end in 59 years. In total, he started nine games for the 2023 Bears, setting the school record for a tight end with 552 receiving yards while also having 33 receptions and five receiving touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference honors. Dabney transferred to the TCU Horned Frogs for his final season in 2024. He recorded 19 catches for 193 yards in his lone year there.