Jake Dolegala

{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1996)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Jake Dolegala

| image = 2024, 15, Jake Dolegala.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Dolegala with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2024

| current_team = Hamilton Tiger-Cats

| number = 15

| position = Quarterback

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|7}}

| birth_place = Hamburg, New York, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 7

| weight_lb = 242

| high_school = Saint Francis (NY)

| college = Central Connecticut

| undraftedyear = 2019

| pastteams =

Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2019}})
New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2020|2021}})*
Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
Saskatchewan Roughriders ({{CFL Year|2022|2023}})
BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2024}})
Winnipeg Blue Bombers ({{CFL Year|2024}})
Hamilton Tiger-Cats ({{CFL Year|2025}}–present)

| status =

| cflstatus = American

| cflstatlabel1 = Passing completions

| cflstatvalue1 = 247

| cflstatlabel2 = Passing attempts

| cflstatvalue2 = 394

| cflstatlabel3 = Passing yards

| cflstatvalue3 = 2,953

| cflstatlabel4 = TD–INT

| cflstatvalue4 = 12–11

| pfr = D/DoleJa00

| cfl = jake-dolegala/164831/

}}

Jake Dolegala (born October 7, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Central Connecticut, and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and BC Lions.

College career

Coming out of high school, Dolegala only had one college offer.{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2019 |title=NFL Draft: FCS quarterback Jacob Dolegala sneaking up draft boards |url=https://saturdayblitz.com/2019/03/23/nfl-draft-unheared-quarterback-jacob-dolegala-sneaking-draft-boards/ |access-date=June 5, 2019 |website=Saturday Blitz |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Skurski, Jay |date=March 17, 2019 |title=If you don't know QB prospect Jake Dolegala, here's why you should |agency=The Buffalo News |url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/03/17/jake-dolegala-nfl-draft-central-connecticut-state-s-francis/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317182642/https://buffalonews.com/2019/03/17/jake-dolegala-nfl-draft-central-connecticut-state-s-francis/ |archive-date=March 17, 2019}} This led him to attend Milford Academy for their 2014 season, where he threw for 2,276 yards and 20 touchdowns.{{cite web | title =Undrafted but undeterred, St. Francis product Jake Dolegala heads to Cincinnati Bengals | url =https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/undrafted-but-undeterred-st-francis-product-jake-dolegala-heads-to-cincinnati-bengals/article_a8515331-097e-5367-a916-14197c832634.html | website =buffalonews.com | date = April 27, 2019| access-date =June 7, 2021 }}

Dolegala was recruited to play at Central after his year at the Milford Academy. In his first year for the Blue Devils he appeared in 10 games and had seven passing touchdowns and three rushing.{{cite web | title =Jacob Dolegala | url =https://www.ccsubluedevils.com/sports/fball/2018-19/bios/dolegala_jacob_8ral | website =ccsubluedevils.com | access-date = June 7, 2021}} Dolegala was a four-year starter for the Central Connecticut Blue Devils, where he threw for 8,129 yards and 48 touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Glovach |first=David |date=April 27, 2019 |title=CCSU quarterback Dolegala signs rookie free agent deal with Cincinnati Bengals |url=http://www.newbritainherald.com/NBH-CCSU/349542/ccsu-quarterback-dolegala-signs-rookie-free-agent-deal-with-cincinnati-bengals |website=New Britain Herald |access-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822185517/http://www.newbritainherald.com/NBH-CCSU/349542/ccsu-quarterback-dolegala-signs-rookie-free-agent-deal-with-cincinnati-bengals |url-status=dead }}

Professional career

=Cincinnati Bengals=

After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft, Dolegala signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web |last=Sheeran |first=John |date=April 27, 2019 |title=Bengals sign QB Jake Dolegala as undrafted free agent |url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/4/27/18520741/bengals-sign-qb-jake-dolegala-undrafted-free-agent |access-date=June 5, 2019 |website=Cincy Jungle}}{{Cite news |last=Wolf, Jason |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Hamburg's Jake Dolegala, grandson of AFL champion, back in Buffalo with Bengals |agency=The Buffalo News |url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/09/19/buffalo-bills-cincinnati-bengals-jake-dolegala-grandson-afl-champion-al-bemiller-returning-nfl-week-3-home-opener-2019/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920130128/https://buffalonews.com/2019/09/19/buffalo-bills-cincinnati-bengals-jake-dolegala-grandson-afl-champion-al-bemiller-returning-nfl-week-3-home-opener-2019/ |archive-date=September 20, 2019}} He spent the entire 2019 NFL season on the Bengals' 53-man roster, but did not appear in a game for the Bengals. After the Bengals drafted Joe Burrow first overall, Dolegala competed for the team's backup quarterback position with Ryan Finley. Dolegala was waived during the team's final cutdowns on September 5, 2020.{{cite web|title=Bengals Reduce 2020 Roster To 53 Players|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-reduce-2020-roster-to-53-players|website=Bengals.com|date=September 5, 2020}}

=New England Patriots (first stint)=

On September 16, 2020, Dolegala was signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots.{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign Two Players to the 53-Man Roster from the Practice Squad; Add Two Players to the Practice Squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-two-players-to-the-53-man-roster-from-the-practice-squad-add-two-p|website=Patriots.com|date=September 16, 2020}} He was released by the Patriots on November 12.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/11/12/patriots-re-sign-lb-cassh-maluia-waive-practice-squad-qb-jake-dolegala/ |title=Patriots re-sign LB Cassh Maluia, waive practice-squad QB Jake Dolegala |first=Andrew |last=Callahan |website=Boston Herald |date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=November 12, 2020}} Dolegala was re-signed to the practice squad on November 16.{{cite news |title=Patriots re-sign QB Jake Dolegala to the practice squad; release TE David Wells from the practice squad |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-re-sign-qb-jake-dolegala-to-the-practice-squad-release-te-david-wells-f |website=Patriots.com |date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=December 24, 2020}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021.{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign 10 Players to Future Contracts|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-10-players-to-future-contracts|website=Patriots.com|date=January 4, 2021}} On April 30, 2021, Dolegala was waived by the Patriots after they drafted Mac Jones.{{cite news |title=Patriots Release Quarterback Jake Dolegala |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-quarterback-jake-dolegala |website=Patriots.com |date=April 30, 2021 |access-date=May 1, 2021}}

=Green Bay Packers (first stint)=

On June 10, 2021, Dolegala signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers.{{cite web |title=Packers sign QB Jake Dolegala |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-qb-jake-dolegala |publisher=packers.com |access-date=June 10, 2021}} He was released on July 27, 2021.{{Cite web|date=July 27, 2021|title=Packers release QBs Blake Bortles and Jake Dolegala|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-release-qbs-blake-bortles-and-jake-dolegala|website=packers.com|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727212006/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-release-qbs-blake-bortles-and-jake-dolegala|url-status=dead}}

=New England Patriots (second stint)=

On July 28, 2021, Dolegala was claimed off waivers by the Patriots.{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Oliver|date=2021-07-28|title=Patriots claim quarterback Jake Dolegala off waivers from Packers|url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2021/7/28/22598847/new-england-patriots-claim-quarterback-jake-dolegala-off-waivers-from-packers|access-date=2021-07-29|website=Pats Pulpit|language=en}} He was waived on August 9, 2021.{{Cite web|last=Buchmasser|first=Bernd|date=2021-08-09|title=Patriots release backup quarterback Jake Dolegala|url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2021/8/9/22616550/patriots-release-jake-dolegala-quarterback-newton-jones-stidham-hoyer|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Pats Pulpit|language=en}}

=Green Bay Packers (second stint)=

On August 17, 2021, Dolegala signed with the Packers.{{Cite web|last=Demovsky|first=Rob|date=2021-08-17|title= Green Bay Packers bringing back Jake Dolegala for QB depth|url= https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32040381/green-bay-packers-bringing-back-jake-dolegala-qb-depth|access-date=2021-08-17|website=ESPN|language=en}} He was waived on August 27, 2021.{{cite web|title=Packers sign CB Rojesterman Farris|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-cb-rojesterman-farris|website=packers.com|access-date=August 27, 2021|date=August 27, 2021}}

=Miami Dolphins=

On October 27, 2021, Dolegala was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Miami Dolphins Sign QB Dolegala to Practice Squad|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/roster-moves-miami-dolphins-sign-qb-dolegala-to-practice-squad|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=October 27, 2021}} He was released on November 17.{{cite web | url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/18/dolphins-cut-jake-dolegala-from-practice-squad-sign-sheldrick-redwine/ | title=Dolphins cut Jake Dolegala from practice squad, sign Sheldrick Redwine | date=November 18, 2021 }}

On December 17, 2021, it was reported that Dolegala would sign with the Cleveland Browns.{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/news/browns-signing-jake-dolegala | title=Browns to Sign QB Jacob Dolegala per Report }} The deal ended up not coming to fruition after the Browns signed Kyle Lauletta off of the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad.{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/browns/news/browns-not-signing-dolegala#:~:text=The%20Cleveland%20Browns%20have%20decided,the%20Orange%20and%20Brown%20Report.&text=The%20Cleveland%20Browns%20have%20told,the%20Orange%20and%20Brown%20Report. | title=Browns Won't Sign QB Jake Dolegala, G Wyatt Teller Returning from Reserve/COVID-19 List }}

=Saskatchewan Roughriders=

On February 15, 2022, Dolegala signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.{{cite web | url=https://www.riderville.com/2022/02/15/roughriders-sign-quarterback-jake-dolegala/ | title=Roughriders Sign Quarterback Jake Dolegala | date=February 15, 2022 | website=riderville.com}} With starting quarterback Cody Fajardo nursing an injured knee and possible Covid infection, Dolegala finally took his first professional regular-season snap and made his first CFL start on July 24, 2022, when he was named the starting quarterback against the Toronto Argonauts.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2022-07-23 |title=Dolegala listed as No. 1 QB on Riders' depth chart ahead of Argos game – TSN.ca |url=https://www.tsn.ca/jake-dolegala-saskatchewan-roughriders-toronto-argonauts-1.1828579 |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=TSN |language=en}} In his debut performance Dolegala completed 13 of 28 pass attempts for 131 yards with one touchdown and one interception as the Riders were defeated 31–21.{{Cite web |title=2022-07-24 Game Tracker – Toronto Argonauts vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6237) |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/6237/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}} Dolegala was suspended for one game by the team in late September 2022 after he was arrested for impaired driving.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2022-09-26 |title=Riders suspend Dolegala after impaired driving arrest – TSN.ca |url=https://www.tsn.ca/saskatchewan-roughriders-jake-dolegala-suspension-impaired-driving-1.1854091 |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=TSN |language=en}}

He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 13, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/fa24/ |title=Official 2024 Free Agent Tracker |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=February 14, 2024}}

=BC Lions=

On February 14, 2024, it was announced that Dolegala had signed a one-year contract worth a maximum of $172,800 with the BC Lions.{{cite web|url=https://www.bclions.com/2024/02/13/qb-jake-dolegala-joins-lions-on-one-year-deal/ |title=QB Jake Dolegala joins Lions on one-year deal |publisher=BC Lions |date=February 14, 2024}} He went 15 for 26, throwing for 158 yards in two games for the Lions, and started in one, following the injury to Vernon Adams. Following the signing of Nathan Rourke, Dolegala was released on August 14, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/bc-lions-release-qb-s-jake-dolegala-brennan-armstrong-1.2162156 |title=Lions release QB's Dolegala, Armstrong |publisher=TSN |date=August 14, 2024}}

=Winnipeg Blue Bombers=

On September 16, 2024, it was announced that Dolegala had signed a practice roster agreement with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2024/09/16/bombers-add-qbs-jake-dolegala-and-bryan-scott-to-practice-roster/ |title=Bombers add QBs Jake Dolegala and Bryan Scott to practice roster |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=September 16, 2024}} He dressed for five regular season games and two post-season games, including the Blue Bombers' loss to the Toronto Argonauts in the 111th Grey Cup game. He was released on May 2, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/transactions/2025/ |title=Transactions – Football Player Trades and Signings |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=June 11, 2025}}

=Hamilton Tiger-Cats=

Dolegala signed a practice roster agreement with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 8, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.ticats.ca/2025/06/08/ticats-sign-american-quarterback-dolegala-to-practice-roster/ |title=Ticats Sign American Quarterback Dolegala to Practice Roster |publisher=Hamilton Tiger-Cats |date=June 8, 2025}}

=Professional statistics=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! colspan="2" \| ! colspan="9" \| Passing ! colspan="6" \| Rushing
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! {{Tooltip\|GD\|Games dressed}} ! {{Tooltip\|GS\|Games started}} ! {{Tooltip\|Att\|Passes attempted}} ! {{Tooltip\|Comp\|Passes completed}} ! {{Tooltip\|Pct\|Completion percentage}} ! {{Tooltip\|Yards\|Passing yards}} ! {{Tooltip\|TD\|Touchdowns thrown}} ! {{Tooltip\|Int\|Interceptions thrown}} ! {{Tooltip\|QBR\|Quarterback rating}} ! {{Tooltip\|Att\|Carries attempted}} ! {{Tooltip\|Yards\|Total rushing yards}} ! {{Tooltip\|Avg\|Rushing average}} ! {{Tooltip\|Long\|Longest rush}} ! {{Tooltip\|TD\|Rushing touchdowns}}
ALIGN="center" \|2022 \|SSK \| 2	1 \| 35	16	45.7	154	1	2	44.2 \| 2	12	6.0	7	0
ALIGN="center" \|2023 \|SSK \| 13	9 \| 333	216	64.9	2,641	11	9	88.9 \| 26	95	3.7	12	1
ALIGN="center" \|2024 \|BC \| 9	1 \| 26	15	57.7	158	0	0	75.5 \| 1	5	5.0	5	0
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="2" \| CFL totals ! 24	11 ! 394	247	62.7	2,953	12	11	84.1 ! 29	112	3.9	12	1

Personal life

Dolegala's grandfather Al Bemiller was a member of the 1959 Syracuse Orangemen football team that won a national title; Al later played for the Buffalo Bills from 1961 to 1969.{{Cite news |last=Wolf, Jason |date=April 27, 2019 |title=Undrafted but undeterred, St. Francis product Jake Dolegala heads to Cincinnati Bengals |agency=The Buffalo News |url=https://buffalonews.com/2019/04/27/st-francis-product-jake-dolegala-signs-with-bengals-after-draft/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428181953/https://buffalonews.com/2019/04/27/st-francis-product-jake-dolegala-signs-with-bengals-after-draft/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019}}

In May 2023 Dolegala was found not guilty of impaired driving after the Crown prosecutor failed to prove Dolegala's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In his testimony, the arresting officer remarked "He didn't seem impaired."{{Cite web |title=Roughriders QB Dolegala found not guilty of driving impaired |url=https://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/roughriders-qb-dolegala-found-not-guilty-of-driving-impaired |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=leaderpost |language=en-CA}}