High-Range Transfer Kicker with 2025 Eligibility and Proven 54-Yard High School Power
David Kemp, a Memphis transfer to Minnesota, brings a rare differentiator as a kicker with a 54-yard high school long and a 40-yard college mark, offering range beyond the typical Gophers specialist [2][10]. While his 2021 college stats show a 71.4% FG% and 77.8% XP% over four games, Kemp missed the 2022 season due to injury, potentially granting him 3–4 years of eligibility if a hardship waiver is approved [1][3]. Ranked the No. 6 kicker nationally by 247Sports and No. 5 in the 2021 class by Chris Sailer Kicking, he possesses elite technical pedigree but faces stiff competition from incumbent Dragan Kesich, who made 20-of-28 FGs in 2024 [4][6]. Kemp’s intensity and graduate-student status suggest a mature, high-pressure mindset, making him a strong fit for teams needing a deep-range kicker with room to grow, though his immediate role may be limited as a backup or kickoff specialist in 2025 [5][10].
