From Tiger Stadium to NFL glory

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Glenn Dorsey hasn’t let a position change stunt his NFL growth

By RICHARD FISCHER
Tiger Rag Assistant Editor

On the heels of Patrick Peterson winning a pair of national college football awards last night, what better time to take a look at former decorated Tiger Glenn Dorsey?

The dominating defensive tackle won the Nagurski Award, Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy and Lott Award in his senior season in purple and gold, leading the Tigers to a BCS National Championship. 

Dorsey totaled 69 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks while being double teamed on a regular basis.

In the BCS National Championship Game against Ohio State, Dorsey finished third on the team with five tackles and recorded a sack.

After his stellar senior campaign, the Gonzales native was drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Kansas City Chefs in the 2008 NFL Draft.

In Dorsey’s rookie season, he made 46 tackles and one sack and appeared to be on his way to learning the craft of an NFL defensive tackle during an abysmal 2-14 season for the Chiefs.

But head coach Herm Edwards was fired following the season, and Todd Haley was hired as the new coach in Kansas City.

Unfortunately, Haley brought with him some bad news for Dorsey — the team was switching to a 3-4 defensive alignment.

That’s not the best news for a 6-foot-1, 300 pound defensive tackle who isn’t built physically to play nose guard in the NFL.

But rather than complain or let the situation get the best of him, Dorsey willingly made the transition to 3-4 defensive end and made 54 tackles and a sack in 15 games for the Chiefs last season.

The former Tiger standout already has 47 tackles and a half sack in 12 games so far this season, and he set a career-high six solo tackles in last week’s 10-6 win over the Denver Broncos.

This week, the Chiefs have their most important game of the season to date as they head to San Diego to take on the Chargers.

If the 8-4 Chiefs can knock off the 6-6 Chargers, Kansas City will have the AFC West all but wrapped up.

And if history serves us correct, Dorsey ought to be licking his chops to take on the Chargers as he has 1.5 of his 2.5 career sacks against San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers.

CLICK HERE for my previous installment highlighting WR Dwayne Bowe’s rise to NFL stardom.

CLICK HERE for my previous installment highlighting LB Bradie James’ continued stellar play for the Cowboys.

CLICK HERE for my previous installment highlighting CB Corey Webster’s Giant Super Bowl run.

*Check back to Tigerrag.com throughout the month of December for more updates on former Tigers in the pros.