Class of 2026 | DB/RB | Lincoln HS (CA) HT: 5’11” | WT: 180 lbs | GPA: 4.3
On a cool December evening in San Diego, King David Dunn stood on the sideline in Lincoln High green and gold, the bright lights of the state championship game cutting through the night sky. Just a freshman, he lined up alongside teammates far older and stronger, his father coaching only a few steps away. The Hornets would go on to claim the title, and for Dunn, that moment — becoming a state champion while sharing the journey with his dad — remains one of his proudest memories.
Now a senior, Dunn carries himself with the calm of a veteran. He’s already a two-time state champion, and the chase for a third is underway. But beyond the rings and wins, his story is about persistence, preparation, and proving that sometimes the best players don’t fit the easy recruiting mold.
Football wasn’t Dunn’s first love. Growing up, he spent more time on basketball courts and baseball fields before football finally took hold around age five.
“I come from a football family on both sides,” he explains. “I was always around my brothers and cousins, and it just stuck.”
Early on, he carved out a reputation as a versatile athlete. Running back was his first position, followed by defensive back. By seventh grade, he found his way to wide receiver, and the game changed for him. At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Dunn doesn’t tower over defenders, but he plays with a blend of strength and quickness honed through track and the weight room. A CIF qualifier in the 100, 200, 400, and relays, he’s one of the fastest on the field. Add a 455-pound squat, and it’s clear he’s built for more than just finesse.
Still, Dunn understands the uphill climb.
“I realized I have to be ten times better than everybody else,” he says. “A lot of teams want taller receivers. There’s only a couple slot guys on a roster, so I need to be different — something abnormal.”
That chip fuels him. Off the field, he’s a 4.3 GPA student, focused on academics as much as athletics. His mother has pushed him to excel in the classroom, and his uncles — his first coaches — continue to remind him that discipline matters as much as talent. His grandmother, meanwhile, remains the loudest fan in the stands.
Lincoln High itself is part of Dunn’s story. The program is one of California’s most respected, producing top-level players for decades. Dunn describes the culture simply:
“The second you step on the field, you’re expected to compete. No excuses.”
Game Day Photo of King David Dunn
The Hornets’ community backs that up. On Friday nights, tailgaters line the park across from the stadium, fans crowd the fences, and the energy spills onto the field.
In that environment, mentors like Offensive Coordinator Jason Carter have helped shape Dunn into more than just an athlete.
“He wants you to succeed, and he’ll do everything in his power for you to succeed,”
Dunn says. It’s a reflection of the larger Lincoln standard — hard-nosed, disciplined, and unrelenting.
The goals for this season are straightforward. Dunn wants to help Lincoln win another title. Individually, he’s focused on being sharper in the second half of the year and continuing to expand his impact on both sides of the ball.
Recruiting has already begun to take shape. He holds offers from Arizona, Delaware State, and Fresno State, with interest from other schools as well. Fresno State carries extra weight, not just because of his offer but because of legacy: his father starred there, and the program still feels like home. “That would be my dream school,” he says.
Long-term, Dunn wants to major in business, with aspirations of starting his own clothing brand or managing ventures in marketing. He has the grades to back it up — a fact not lost on coaches looking for players who can succeed both on the field and in the classroom.
Away from football, Dunn is easygoing. He’s traveled to more than 30 states and two countries, with Hawaii standing out as his favorite. He’s a fan of Spider-Man and Jumanji, spends pregame warm-ups tuned into NBA YoungBoy, Playboi Carti, and Travis Scott, and admits to eating three or four burgers a week — usually from fast-food staples like McDonald’s or Jack in the Box.
For Dunn, it’s all part of being a teenager — but the competitive edge never leaves. His personal motto, “Get it DUNN at all times”, isn’t just wordplay on his last name. It’s a reflection of how he approaches everything, from the classroom to Friday night lights.
From state titles to track medals, from family support to a dream of carrying his dad’s legacy at Fresno State, King David Dunn embodies what it means to be a Hidden Gem. Overlooked by some for his size, he has already proven that production, discipline, and drive outweigh perception.
And as Lincoln pushes toward another championship run, the message is clear: Get it Dunn.
