Utah Tech University Athletics

Before Utah Tech: Played in a combined 14 games with two starts over two seasons at Nicholls State ... tallied 23 total tackles with 1.0 TFL and 0.5 sacks in the Colonels’ Southland Conference championship season in 2023 ... collected a season-high seven tackles in the season finale at Southern Illinois (11/25) ... also attended Highland CC in 2021-22, where he racked up 17 total tackles with 2.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack as a freshman … was a three-time first team all-state and four-time all-league selection at Osage City HS ... earned 2021 District Defensive MVP honors and was a Kansas 2A Defensive POY finalist ... also lettered in wrestling, where he was a two-time state champion, and track and field … was the state runner-up in the shot put … also was the state champion in powerlifting … was named to the Principal's Honor Roll all four years of high school.
 
More on Dane: Born in Ottawa, Kansas … parents are Justin and Alois Whalen … fiance’s name is Tayin Kirkpatrick … father Justin played college football at Fort Scott CC … also recruited by Nicholls State, Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech, Montana, Louisiana-Monroe, Wagner, Houston Christian and Lamar … favorite team is the Kansas City Chiefs … favorite athlete is Bo Nickal … favorite musicians are Rod Wave, NBA YoungBoy and Hank Williams Jr. … favorite food is sushi … currently majoring in recreation and sport management.
 
Why Dane chose Utah Tech: "I chose Utah Tech because the coaches were great recruiters, and St. George is an awesome area.