Rivals: 4 star QB
Scout: 3 star QB
Drew Tate’s roller coaster ride of a Hawkeye career peaked with one of the greatest moments in Hawkeye history. He earned First Team All-Big Ten his Sophomore season, but unfortunately that was the only year. He left Iowa as one of the more memorable Quarterbacks to play for the Hawkeyes and 2nd in Iowa history with 8,292 yards, but his height played a factor in him not getting drafted. He signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams, but never made it off of the Practice Squad. He went north of the border and signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL for 2007 & 2008. In 2009 he signed with the Calgary Stampeders as their 3rd string Quarterback. He completed 9 of 11 passes for 78 yards on the season. When the 2010 season began on July 2nd, Tate again found himself as the backup to Henry Burris, one of the more accomplished quarterbacks in league history. However, Tate was used multiple times throughout the season in short yardage situations. Drew made his way into 14 games, compiling an impressive stat line during minimal playing time of 44-62 for 521 yards and 7 touchdowns as well as rushing 37 times for 174 yards and 5 touchdowns. He was scheduled to become a free agent after the season but he signed an extension to remain in Calgary. When the 2011 season rolled along, Tate again found himself behind Burris and was banged up during their final exhibition game. The season got underway in early July and he was on the inured list for the first five games. He returned to the lineup for Week 6 vs. Hamilton and made his first career start in the Week 17 game against Saskatchewan. His 2011 stat line:
Week 1 vs. Toronto Argonauts: DNP
Week 2 vs. BC Lions: DNP
Week 3 vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers: DNP
Week 4 vs. Edmonton Eskimos: DNP
Week 5 vs. Saskatchewan Rough Riders: DNP
Week 6 vs. Hamilton Tiger Cats: 3 rushes – 6 yards
Week 7 vs. Saskatchewan Rough Riders: 5 rushes – 6 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 8: Bye
Week 9 vs. Montreal Alouettes: 2 rushes – 3 yards
Week 10 vs. Edmonton Eskimos: 1-3 passes – 19 yards; 3 rushes 6 yards
Week 11 vs. Edmonton Eskimos: 3 rushes – 6 yards
Week 12 vs. BC Lions: 2-4 passes – 99 yards; 2 rushes – 2 yards
Week 13 vs. Hamilton Tiger Cats: 8-14 passes – 104 yards, 2 touchdowns; 3 rushes – 5 yards
Week 14 vs. Saskatchewan Rough Riders: 4-5 passes – 40 yards; 4 rushes – 5 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 15 vs. BC Lions: 0-1 passes – 0 yards; 3 rushes – 3 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 16 vs. Toronto Argonauts: 19-28 passes – 263 yards, 2 touchdowns; 8 rushes – 45 yards
Week 17 vs. Saskatchewan Rough Riders: 23-32 passes – 251 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
Week 18 vs. Montreal Alouettes: 25-36 passes – 333 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 2 rushes – 28 yards
Week 19 vs. Winnipeg Blue Blombers: 15-28 passes – 207 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 5 rushes – 33 yards, 1 fumble
Playoff Semi-Finals vs. Edmonton Eskimos: 5-10 passes – 99 yards, 1 interception; 1 rush – 8 yards, 1 fumble