Kevin Dunn Jr. became the starting kicker for the Fuqua School varsity football team in 2017, and he made such a noteworthy impression that he will now be a kicker on the college level after having formally committed this spring to the Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) Tigers.

He made this commitment known during a signing ceremony held at Fuqua’s Gilmer Gymnasium with family, friends and coaches on hand. It was a milestone that Dunn, now a Fuqua graduate, said meant a lot to him.

“I’ve always wanted to play at the next level, a college sport — that’s always been my dream ever since I was a little kid, but I am just thrilled to have the opportunity to play on another football team,” he said.

Dunn had imagined that it would be via another sport that he might get his chance at participating in college athletics.

“I have been on a travel soccer team since I was I’d say probably 10, 11, somewhere around there,” he said. “My dream has always been to go to play soccer somewhere for college, but I started kicking (in football) last year, my senior year, because our kicker had left and went to Appomattox to play football there and try to get better offers and stuff like that. So I stepped up to the plate and became the kicker because I’ve played soccer. I had never kicked a football before.”

He has played football since he was in seventh grade, playing as a running back, wide receiver, linebacker and lineman, but never a kicker.

Ben Manis, Fuqua’s varsity football head coach, noted that Dunn has raw talent that just needs further development and polishing.

“He stepped in this year and did very well for us,” Manis said. “I think he’s going to do very well at Hampden-Sydney.”

Dunn said that in addition to H-SC, he also received some interest from Randolph-Macon College and Averett University.

But the Hampden-Sydney Tigers enjoyed the clear edge for Dunn “just because I’ve seen their football team, I’ve been to so many of their games, been around that environment and just knew that’d be the right fit for me,” he said.

Dunn thanked his coaches, his family, his friends and his teammates for their encouragement, faith and support in helping him reach the college level.

He said he is undecided on a major, at least for now.

“We’re just really proud of him for him to keep his grades up and to continue his football career at Hampden-Sydney,” said Kevin Dunn Sr.

Katrina Dunn, Kevin Jr.’s mother, added, “He’s always been a big player of sports of all kinds, and he’s loved coming to Hampden-Sydney games since he was a young boy, so it’s a really special opportunity for him to be part of that team. We just can’t wait to be there cheering him on from the sidelines …”