Derek Dimke
{{Short description|American football player (born 1990)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Derek Dimke
| image =
| caption = Dimke (right) with punter Michael Koenen during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
| current_team =
| number = --
| position = Placekicker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|4|16}}
| birth_place = Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 180
| high_school = Boylan Catholic (Rockford)
| college = Illinois
| undraftedyear = 2012
| pastteams = * Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2012}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2013}})*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2013}})*
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2014}})*
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2015}})*
| highlights = * Second-team All-Big Ten (2010)
| status =
}}
Derek Dimke (born April 16, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). Dimke played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, breaking several school records. He was signed by the Detroit Lions in 2012.
Early years
Dimke was born in Rockford, Illinois to Tim, a director within the Rockford Park District, and Debra, a school administrator.{{cite web|url=https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2010/08/27/hard-work-paying-off-for/48603940007/|title=Hard work paying off for Illinois kicker Derek Dimke|first=John|last=Supinie|date=2010-08-27|access-date=2022-06-29|work=The State Journal-Register}}
Dimke attended Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois. He was selected second-team All-State by the Chicago Tribune{{cite web | title=Chicago Tribune Names Derek Dimke to All-State 2nd Team | work=wifr.com | url=http://www.wifr.com/sports/headlines/11976486.html | access-date=November 30, 2007 | archive-date=September 3, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903113807/http://www.wifr.com/sports/headlines/11976486.html | url-status=dead }} and was also a special mention All-State selection by the Champaign News-Gazette.{{cite web | title=Illinois Fighting Illini Profile | work=fightingillini.com | url=http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dimke_derek00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411160611/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dimke_derek00.html | archive-date=April 11, 2013 | url-status=dead }}
He set an Illinois high school record when he kicked a 54-yard field goal during the playoffs his senior year.{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/11/11/bears-overcome-54-yard-fg-upset-titans/ |title=Bears overcome 54-yard FG, upset Titans - Chicago Tribune |website=Chicago Tribune |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502004604/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-11-11/sports/0711100498_1_titans-bears-12-yard-td |archive-date=2014-05-02}}
College career
Dimke was a four-year letterman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. During his career with the Fighting Illini, he made 39 of 46 field goals for a field goal percentage of 84.7%. He also went 89 for 89 on extra point attempts, for a combined field goal and extra point percentage of 94.8%. He is the most accurate kicker in Fighting Illini history. He holds several other school records including most points scored in a season by a kicker, most field goals in a season, most field goals in a bowl game, most consecutive PATs made, and most touchbacks in a single game.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dimke_derek00.html |title=FIGHTINGILLINI.COM - Derek Dimke Profile |access-date=April 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411160611/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dimke_derek00.html |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Dimke ranks 6th on the Fighting Illini football career scoring list, and 2nd on the single season scoring list. In his junior season, he was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award.{{cite web | title=Big Ten Announces 2010 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors | work=Big Ten Conference | url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aae.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222184331/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aae.html | archive-date=December 22, 2010 | url-status=dead }} He led the Big Ten in both field goals per game and touchbacks. He was selected to Phil Steele's first-team All-Big Ten team following the conclusion of his Junior season.{{cite web | title=Seven Illini Named to Phil Steele's All-Big Ten Teams | work=fightingillini.com | url=http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120210aaa.html | access-date=December 2, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502033117/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120210aaa.html | archive-date=May 2, 2014 | url-status=dead }} He was selected to the Second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches.{{cite web | title=Dimke Makes All-Big Ten Team | work=mystateline.com | url=http://mystateline.com/fulltext-sports?nxd_id=212547&watch=1&nxd_52451_start=10 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629223508/http://mystateline.com/fulltext-sports?nxd_id=212547&watch=1&nxd_52451_start=10 | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 29, 2013 | access-date=November 30, 2010 }} He also was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection by the media.
Dimke named to the ESPN All-Big Ten Bowl Team for his performance in the 2010 Texas Bowl. In his senior season, he was selected to the Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List.{{cite web | title=Lou Groza Award preseason watch list | work=sportingnews.com | url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-07-12/lou-groza-award-preseason-watch-list | access-date=July 12, 2011 | archive-date=July 14, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714061052/http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-07-12/lou-groza-award-preseason-watch-list | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | title=Ex-Boylan standout Derek Dimke on Lou Groza Award list | work= rrstar.com | url=http://www.rrstar.com/carousel/x881694491/Ex-Boylan-standout-Derek-Dimke-on-Lou-Groza-Award-list |access-date= July 8, 2011}} Dimke led the Fighting Illini in scoring during the 2011 season. During his senior year, he also was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection by coaches & media.{{cite web | title=Ex-Boylan standout Derek Dimke on Lou Groza Award list | work=Big Ten Conference | url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aae.html | access-date=July 8, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222184331/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112910aae.html | archive-date=December 22, 2010 | url-status=dead }} He was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week three times (11/30/09), (10/11/10), and (9/26/11) while at Illinois. Following his senior season, he was invited to the NFL Combine.
Professional career
=Detroit Lions=
On April 30, 2012, Dimke signed with the Detroit Lions.{{cite web | title=Detroit Lions sign seven more undrafted free agents, including Wayne State's Troy Burrell | work= mlive.com | date= April 30, 2012 | url=http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2012/04/detroit_lions_sign_seven_more.html |access-date= April 30, 2012}}
He went 2 for 2 on field goals during the preseason while battling Jason Hanson for the starting role.{{Cite web |url=http://www.wrex.com/story/19388010/lions-cut-dimke |title=Lions Cut Dimke |access-date=May 1, 2014 |archive-date=May 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502033209/http://www.wrex.com/story/19388010/lions-cut-dimke |url-status=dead }}
On August 27, 2012, he was released.{{cite web | title=Hanson will be Lions kicker in 2012 with expected release of Derek Dimke | work= detroitlions.com | url=http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/08/27/hanson-will-be-lions-kicker-in-2012-with-expected-release-of-derek-dimke/ |access-date= August 27, 2012}}
=New York Jets=
Dimke signed with the New York Jets on April 11, 2013.{{cite news |title=Jets sign free agent K Derek Dimke |url=http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2013/04/jets_sign_free_agent_k_derek_d.html |work=The Star-Ledger |author=Orr, Conor |date=April 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203195706/http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2013/04/jets_sign_free_agent_k_derek_d.html |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=April 16, 2013 |url-status=dead }} He was released on May 12, 2013.{{cite web |title=4 Tryouts Signed, 3 Undrafted FAs Released |url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-1/4-Tryouts-Signed-3-Undrafted-FAs-Released/1e6b1872-5fa8-4fc3-abed-b39d01c6caa9 |publisher=New York Jets |author=Jets Staff |date=May 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607142728/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-1/4-Tryouts-Signed-3-Undrafted-FAs-Released/1e6b1872-5fa8-4fc3-abed-b39d01c6caa9 |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=May 12, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=
Dimke was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on June 4, 2013. During his time there he went 6 for 7 on field goals while battling Lawrence Tynes and Rian Lindell for the starting role.{{Cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/09/bucs-derek-dimke-took-advantage-of-opportunity-in-opener/|title=Bucs' Derek Dimke took advantage of opportunity in opener|date=August 9, 2013}} He was later cut on August 31, 2013.{{cite web |title=Bucs Add Kicker Dimke, Waive TE Landi |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Bucs-Add-Kicker-Dimke-Waive-TE-Landi/313e94f4-78d1-422c-b1d0-95d728533956 |publisher=Tampa Bay Buccaneers |date=June 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611022051/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Bucs-Add-Kicker-Dimke-Waive-TE-Landi/313e94f4-78d1-422c-b1d0-95d728533956 |archive-date=June 11, 2013 |access-date=June 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
=New Orleans Saints=
Dimke was signed by the New Orleans Saints to a futures contract on January 2, 2014.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints preach balance against Philadelphia Eagles: notebook|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2014/01/new_orleans_saints_notebook_30.html|publisher=The Times-Picayune|date=January 2, 2014|access-date=January 14, 2014}} Dimke went 4 for 4 with a long of 49 yards. Dimke along with kicker Shayne Graham were released as part of the final roster cuts on August 30, 2014.[http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-trim-roster-to-53-player-limit/0694e4f1-104c-4e91-8618-f63381b6587f New Orleans Saints trim roster to 53-player limit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604221538/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-trim-roster-to-53-player-limit/0694e4f1-104c-4e91-8618-f63381b6587f |date=June 4, 2016 }} www.neworleanssaints.com, Retrieved August 30, 2014.
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
On January 5, 2015, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Dimke to a reserve/future contract.[https://archive.today/20150112001619/http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/sports/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/2015/01/05/jaguars-make-roster-moves-sign-three-players-to-reservefuture-contracts/21298485/ Jaguars make roster moves, sign three players to reserve/future contracts] www.firstcoastnews.com, Retrieved January 7, 2015
Personal life
Dimke graduated with a degree in finance in 2012.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stats/roster/Derek-Dimke/40473a53-49f4-469c-aef1-858403c8aaae Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715030238/http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stats/roster/Derek-Dimke/40473a53-49f4-469c-aef1-858403c8aaae |date=July 15, 2013 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130411160611/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dimke_derek00.html Illinois Fighting Illini bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dimke, Derek}}
Category:American football placekickers
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:Players of American football from Rockford, Illinois