Whitehouse’s Vincent Dunning Hearing from Division I Programs

Whitehouse's potent passing attack often grabs headlines, but don't forget about the man toting the rock for the Wildcats.

Vincent Dunning had a solid junior season in limited action, gaining 545 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns in only six games. Two Division I FBS programs noticed: Colorado State and Mississippi State.

"Colorado State said they looked at my film and like me," Dunning said. "Mississippi State has been talking to me ever since the season."

The 5-foot-11 1/2, 200-pound Dunning ran for 401 yards, including a pair of 100-yard performances in Whitehouse's two playoff games. He's been invited to a summer camp at Boise State and has also received interest from Henderson State, a Division II program in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Getting on the field early is a priority for Dunning in his quest for a college home.

"Trying to get into the system as early as I can and whoever I can help the most," he said. "I'm really working on straight forward speed and in-and-out cuts, agility and quickness. Trying to get my legs and arms a lot stronger. Just trying to get stronger, faster, and better."

Dunning is the older brother of sophomore Justin Dunning, a 6-foot-3, 196-pound safety who recently attended a Texas sophomore day and will be one of East Texas' top recruits in the 2015 class.

The elder Dunning said having two football-recruit siblings means for a lot of healthy competition.

"We compete all the time. We have a rating at school of who's the top athlete and he's No. 1 and I'm No. 2," Vincent said. "My 40 and bench and squat are better, but he's beating me because of his vertical. We've competed against each other always. We've done that since we were little."

The Dunnings will be key pieces for Whitehouse in 2013, which holds a lot of promise for first-year head coach Adam Cook. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes joins receivers Jaylon Dews, Jake Parker, and Coleman Patterson for an explosive passing attack, while Justin Dunning, linebacker Reggie Long, and defensive backs Nate Brooks and Isaiah Burton give the Wildcats veterans in the back seven.

Vincent Dunning said last season's 10-2 finish wasn't enough.

"Our main goal is to go to state and win state," he said. "We don't wanna just go two rounds deep. We wanna go all the way."