Jacksonville State University Athletics

• 2023 All-CONFERENCE USA

JAX STATE CAREER
2023: An Honorable Mention All-CUSA selection at Linebacker … the Gamecocks’ leader on defense in his first season since transferring from ULM for his senior season … rotating with a deep corps of linebackers, Drake leads the Gamecocks and ranks ninth in CUSA with 86 tackles …  has started every game in the middle for the Gamecocks in his only season in Jacksonville and has made an immediate impact on his team and the conference … fourth on the team in TFL, a feat for a linebacker that plays for the team that leads CUSA and ranks 16th in the nation in total TFL … the leader on a defense that ranks in the top 20 nationally in run defense … had 11 tackles twice – vs UTEP in the opener and at NM State in the finale – while picking up 10 stops at Sam Houston.

PRIOR TO JAX STATE: Comes to Jacksonville after spending two seasons at ULM…played in 15 games as a Warhawk, tallying 69 total tackles…appeared in all 12 games as a sophomore in 2021, finishing with 56 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery…spent the Spring 2021 season at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan…named Second-Team All-KJCCC after finishing third on the team with 42 tackles and leading the Grizzlies with 13 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks…was a member of the football team at Kennesaw State in 2018 and 2019…redshirted in 2018 as a true freshman and was a Big South Conference Presidential Honor Roll recipient…played in three games and made a solo tackle versus Clark Atlanta…appeared in 13 of 14 games as a redshirt freshman, posting 18 total tackles and two tackles for loss.

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterman for Ken Fordham at Wadley High School…two-time First-Team All-State selection by the ASWA…earned All-Region honors three years in a row…returned punts for touchdowns in back-to-back games versus Donoho (53 yards) and Horseshoe Bend (50)…scored TDs off a punt return, interception return, and reception against Donoho as a senior…two-time ASWA All-State and three-time All-County honoree in basketball for coach Logan Cofield…averaged a double-double (points and rebounds) for his last three varsity seasons…voted Randolph County Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior…won the 2018 Class 1A State Championship in high jump and triple jump.

PERSONAL: Born March 15, 2000…given name is Taquavian Drake…son of Tim and Thressa Drake.