Dorsey was born in Gonzales, Louisiana. He attended East Ascension High School in Gonzales, where he was rated among the nation's top defensive linemen and one of the top three prospects in the state.[1][2] He was named Louisiana’s 4A Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team 4A all-state selection. During his junior year, Dorsey had more than 100 tackles, and 12 sacks. As a senior, he missed three games due to an ankle injury, and finished the season with 43 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble.
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Dorsey was listed as the No. 5 defensive tackle prospect in the nation in 2004.[3][4] Dorsey committed to Louisiana State on the eve of his junior season.
In 2005, he started in 1 out of 13 games. He was among LSU's 4-player rotation at defensive tackle which included Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams. He finished the season with 28 tackles and 3 sacks.
In 2006, Dorsey was named to the 2006 All-American team and was All-SEC. He finished the season as the Tigers' third-leading tackler with 64 stops, including 8.5 for losses and three sacks. Dorsey was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice during the season.
In 2007, Dorsey started 13 of 14 games recording 69 tackles, 7 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble. He was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season. Following the 2007 season, he was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American. He also finished ninth in the 2007 voting for the Heisman Trophy,[5] receiving more votes than any other defensive player in the nation. In addition, Dorsey was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Outland Trophy, the Lott Trophy and the Lombardi Award, becoming the only player to win all four awards.[6][7][8][9][10] Dorsey was a member of LSU's 2007 BCS Championship team. He was a key component in LSU’s drive to the BCS national title despite playing the second half of the season with knee and tailbone injuries.[11]
Prior to the draft some NFL teams expressed concern over a lingering stress fracture Dorsey sustained in 2006. At the NFL Combine, Dorsey spent nearly ten hours getting examined at an Indianapolis hospital.[13]
All values from LSU Pro Day (March 26, 2008) except height, weight, and Wonderlic from NFL Combine.[14][15] Prior to the NFL Combine Dorsey had reported 40-yard times between 4.98–5.09 seconds.[15]
Kansas City Chiefs
Dorsey was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round with the fifth overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft.[16] On July 26, 2008, he signed a five-year, $51 million contract with $23 million guaranteed.[17]
When the Chiefs shifted to a 3-4 defense under new head coach Todd Haley, Dorsey switched positions to accommodate the scheme change, and he played defensive end.[19] Dorsey started 14 of 15 games during the 2009 season and had 54 tackles and one sack.[20] In 2010, he started all 16 games and had 69 tackles and two sacks.[21] In 2011, Dorsey had 62 tackles, but no sacks.[22]
San Francisco 49ers
On March 13, 2013, Dorsey signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.[23][24] Dorsey was expected to be a reserve, but following the injury to starting nose tackle Ian Williams in week two, Dorsey took over the starting job.[25] Dorsey signed a two-year extension with San Francisco on August 19, 2014.[26] He missed the 2014 season with a torn biceps injury.[27] On November 25, 2015, Dorsey was placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL.[28] In the 2016 season, he played in 12 games and started seven. He finished with one sack and 24 total tackles.[29]
