How NC State football’s new kicker plans to follow record-setter Christopher Dunn
Brayden Narveson is among the many N.C. State football players stepping into bigger shoes this season, though those he’s trying to fill are among the biggest.
Narveson came to the Wolfpack via the transfer portal after spending three seasons at Western Kentucky as the Hilltoppers’ kicker, and he’s since earned the starting position for the season opener at UConn. The player he replaces? Five-year starter and multiple record-holder Christopher Dunn.
“I’m here to help my team win football games. I just want to be the best me that I can be every day. That’s all I gotta do,” Narveson said. “I know that if I come in day in, day out practicing and I perform to the best of my abilities, I know that I can do it.”
Dunn won the 2022 Lou Groza Place Kicker Award, earned consensus First-Team All-America honors and leads the NCAA in career field goals (97 out of 115) and No. 2 in kick scoring (491 points).
The North Carolina native made 28 of 29 field goals last season, including 2-for-2 on field goals of 50 yards or more. He went 200-of-200 in his career on PATs, as well.
Narveson said he’s known Dunn since high school, and the alumnus set a high standard for the program, and the position.
“I look forward to meeting those expectations,” Narveson said, noting he doesn’t feel pressure to follow Dunn. “It’s the same thing every year, the same kick that you kick in your backyard. That’s what we do. Somebody always has to follow the great.”
Narveson enters the program with a stellar resume of his own. He was a Groza Award semifinalist in 2020, when he went 13-of-14 on field-goal attempts and 27-of-27 on PATs. The newcomer ranked No. 3 among FBS kickers and set a single-season program record.
He was perfect on PATs in 2021 and 2022, while finishing 38-of-50 on field goals in that time frame.
“I have absolutely zero bad things to say about Western Kentucky. It’s been home for three years. I love coach (Tyson) Helton and coach (Andy) LaRussa and all of them over there,” Narveson said. “I wanted to take a step and go play in the ACC. I wanted to go win an ACC championship. I wanted to be in an atmosphere of high, intense pressure all the time. I really enjoy those situations.”
Narveson competed against redshirt junior Collin Smith for the starting role. He also praised redshirt freshman Kanoah Vinesett for his abilities and competition. He said both teammates pushed him to be better.
“Collin is a great kicker. He earned the right to be in that competition, and I think if you don’t want to compete for the job, you’re not in the right sport,” Narveson said. “That’s a big key for me, as well, hopefully playing at the next level next year. You’re gonna have to compete for everything.”
The grad student gets his first opportunity to prove himself this week. N.C. State travels to UConn for its season opener at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "How NC State football’s new kicker plans to follow record-setter Christopher Dunn."
