Dede Westbrook

Decrick De'Shawn "Dede" Westbrook (/ˈdiːd/; born November 21, 1993) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He played college football at Oklahoma where he won the Biletnikoff Award in 2016. He was drafted 110th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars where he played until 2020. He also played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021.

Dede Westbrook
Personal information
Born: (1993-11-21) November 21, 1993
Cameron, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:178 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High school:C. H. Yoe
(Cameron, Texas)
College:
Position:Wide receiver,
Return specialist
NFL Draft:2017 / Round: 4 / Pick: 110
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 10, 2022
Receptions:170
Receiving yards:1,788
Return yards:770
Rushing yards:125
Total touchdowns:10
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Westbrook attended C. H. Yoe High School in Cameron, Texas, where he played high school football for the Yoemen.[1] As a three-year letterer and starter, Westbrook caught a career total of 116 passes for 1,670 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also started at defensive back, racking 77 career tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 interceptions throughout his career.[2] Although he was originally a highly touted recruit, Dede received a season-ending injury early into his senior year when a bad tackle ruptured his lower intestine. He spent over a month recovering in a hospital bed and several more months recovering through therapy, which took a toll on his physical and mental health; many recruiters withdrew their interest when his weight and grades both started to plummet. Many believed Dede's football career was permanently over.[3]

Dede was regarded as a three-star recruit and was ranked the No. 97 wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2012 by ESPN.[4] After getting scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, UTEP, Utah State, and Wyoming, Dede committed to Texas State University to play for the Texas State Bobcats. However, Dede's grades were still not good enough to allow him to be admitted into the school, so he ultimately went the junior college route and played at Blinn College.

While in high school, Dede excelled in basketball and track.

College career

After fully recovering from his injury, Westbrook had a breakout season at Blinn College where he caught passes for 1,471 yards and 13 touchdowns.[5] Dede was named one of the top junior college recruits and received over 30 scholarship offers, including from some who rescinded their offers when he was injured in high school. He ultimately transferred to the University of Oklahoma to play under head coach Bob Stoops.[6][7] In his first year at Oklahoma in 2015, he started all 13 games and had 46 receptions for 743 yards and four touchdowns.[8] Westbrook became Oklahoma's number one wide receiver during his senior year in 2016. Against Texas, he set a school record with 232 receiving yards, breaking the previous record of 217 held by Ryan Broyles.[9][10][11] He led the Big 12 Conference with 1,524 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns in 2016.[12]

On December 5, 2016, Westbrook was announced as one of the finalists for the 2016 Heisman Trophy, along with quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, and defensive back Jabrill Peppers, from Clemson, Louisville, Oklahoma, and Michigan, respectively.[13] He ended up finishing in fourth place in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Mayfield (3rd), Watson (2nd), and Jackson (1st).[14]

College statistics
Dede Westbrook Receiving
SeasonTeamGPRecYdsTD
2015Oklahoma 13467434
2016Oklahoma 13801,52417
Totals261262,20821

Professional career

Westbrook declined an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl. He received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, but decided to not perform any drills. At Oklahoma's Pro Day, he elected to run all the required combine drills. After finally performing for scouts and team representatives, Westbrook draft projections varied from the second round to the fourth round from draft experts and analysts. He was ranked the third best wide receiver by Pro Football Focus, the 14th best by Sports Illustrated, and was ranked the 15th best by NFLDraftScout.com.[15][16]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11+7⁄8 in
(1.83 m)		 178 lb
(81 kg)		 30+5⁄8 in
(0.78 m)		 9 in
(0.23 m)		4.39 s1.54 s2.54 s4.34 s7.24 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)		10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		8 reps
All values from Oklahoma's Pro Day[17][18]

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Westbrook in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.[19] He was the 15th wide receiver selected in 2017.[20]

2017 season

On May 16, 2017, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Westbrook to a four-year, $3.07 million contract with a signing bonus of $676,156.[21] He was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return on September 8, 2017, after dealing with a core muscle injury.[22] On November 18, he was activated off injured reserve.[23] Overall, in his rookie season, he totaled 27 receptions for 339 yards and one touchdown.[24]

The Jaguars made the 2017 NFL playoffs as the #3-seed in the AFC.[25] In the Wild Card Round, they defeated the Buffalo Bills, 10–3. In his first career postseason game, Westbrook caught five passes for 48 yards on eight targets, which included a 20-yard reception in the beginning of the third quarter. He was the game's leading receiver.[26] In the Divisional Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had an eight-yard reception in the 45–42 victory.[27] In the AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots, he had a 24-yard reception.[28]

2018 season

In Week 2 against the New England Patriots, Westbrook recorded a 61-yard touchdown reception in the 31–20 victory.[29] In Week 4, in a victory over the New York Jets, he had a career-high nine receptions for 130 receiving yards in the 31–12 victory.[30] In Week 15, against the Washington Redskins, he recorded a 74-yard punt return touchdown in the 16–13 loss.[31][32] Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 66 receptions for 717 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.[33] He led the Jaguars in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2018.[34]

2019 season

In Week 7, a 27–17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, he had six receptions for 103 receiving yards.[35] Overall, he finished the season with 66 receptions for 660 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[36]

2020 season

Westbrook entered 2020 fourth on the Jaguars wide receiver depth chart. In Week 7, he suffered a torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve on October 26.[37]

Minnesota Vikings

On July 26, 2021, Westbrook signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract.[38] In the 2021 season, Westbrook appeared in 15 games and recorded ten receptions for 68 receiving yards to go along with some punt return duties.[39]

On October 25, 2022, the Miami Dolphins hosted Westbrook for a workout.[40] Four days later, the Cincinnati Bengals also hosted Westbrook for a workout.[41]

Green Bay Packers

On November 15, 2022, Westbrook signed to the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.[42] He was released on December 13, 2022.[43]

NFL career statistics
Year Team Games Receiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
2017JAX 752733912.1291
2018JAX 1586371711.261T5
2019JAX 15116666010.0393
2020JAX 20144.040
2021MIN 15010686.8170
Career55241701,78810.561T9

References
  1. "Cameron Yoe product Dede Westbrook picked by Jacksonville". KBTX. April 29, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  2. "DD Westbrook's High School Football Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  3. Olson, Max (December 9, 2016). "Dede Westbrook's road to the Heisman ceremony". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  4. "Dede Westbrook - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  5. "Dede Westbrook". Blinn. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  6. Marshall, Kendrick (June 24, 2017). "OU football: Dede Westbrook talks NFL life, Bob Stoops during autograph signing". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  7. Tramel, Berry (April 14, 2015). "Oklahoma football: Dede Westbrook can have an impact". NewsOK.com. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  8. Bailey, Eric (August 24, 2016). "Oklahoma football: Dede Westbrook will be No. 1 target of Mayfield, opposing defenses". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  9. Vardeman, Brady (October 8, 2016). "Dede Westbrook sets Oklahoma record for receiving yards in a game". SportsDay. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  10. Pryor, Brooke (October 9, 2016). "OU football: Dede Westbrook emerges as go-to receiver". NewsOK.com. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  11. Olson, Max (October 8, 2016). "Inside the play: Dede Westbrook's TD reception sets tone for Oklahoma". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  12. "2016 Big 12 Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  13. Adelson, Andrea (December 6, 2016). "L'ville's Jackson leads group of Heisman finalists". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  14. "2016 Heisman Trophy Voting". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  15. Burke, Chris (April 24, 2017). "2017 NFL draft rankings: Top prospects by position". SI.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  16. Palazzolo, Steve (January 10, 2017). "Top 32 prospects for the 2017 NFL draft". PFF. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  17. "NFL Draft Profile: Dede Westbrook". NFL.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  18. "Dede Westbrook, DS #15 WR, Oklahoma". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  19. "2017 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  20. Sessler, Marc (April 29, 2017). "Jaguars draft WR Dede Westbrook in fourth round". NFL.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  21. "Spotrac.com: Dede Westbrook contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  22. "Jaguars Sign Offensive Lineman Josh Walker; Claim Safety Calvin Pryor Off Waivers". Jaguars.com. September 8, 2017. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017.
  23. "Jaguars make roster moves". Jaguars.com. November 18, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  24. "Dede Westbrook 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  25. "2017 Jacksonville Jaguars Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  26. "Wild Card - Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars - January 7th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  27. "Divisional Round - Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 14th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  28. "AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots - January 21st, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  29. "Jaguars' Dede Westbrook: Burns Patriots with 61-yard score". CBSSports.com. September 16, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  30. "Jaguars' Dede Westbrook: Racks up 141 scrimmage yards". CBSSports.com. September 30, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  31. Shapiro, Michael (December 16, 2018). "Watch: Dede Westbrook returns punt for TD vs. Redskins". SI.com. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  32. Long, Mark (December 16, 2018). "Johnson leads Redskins to late scores, 16-13 win at Jaguars". The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  33. "Dede Westbrook 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  34. "2018 Jacksonville Jaguars Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  35. "Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals - October 20th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  36. "Dede Westbrook 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  37. Alper, Josh (October 26, 2020). "Report: Jaguars fear torn ACL for Dede Westbrook". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  38. Smith, Eric (July 26, 2021). "Vikings Boost Receiving & Returner Options by Signing Dede Westbrook". Vikings.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  39. "Dede Westbrook 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  40. Ulrich, Logan (October 25, 2022). "Dolphins Worked Out Five Including CB Malcolm Butler". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  41. Grindley, Wyatt (October 29, 2022). "Bengals Working Out Four Wide Receivers". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  42. "Packers sign RB Patrick Taylor to active roster". Packers.com. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  43. "Packers sign T Jean Delance, C Michal Menet to practice squad". packers.com. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
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