Upcoming Event: Football at Lehigh on September 19, 2026
Football
at Lehigh
Sophomore Summer: Football's Derek Kyler
7/1/2019 11:06:00 AM | Football, Athletics
Throughout the summer, DartmouthSports.com will be focusing on members of the Class of 2021 who are currently in their "Sophomore Summers" presented by Cape Air.
This installment focuses on DeKalb, Illinois, native Derek Kyler of the Big Green football team.
DartmouthSports.com: What is your favorite place on campus?
Derek Kyler: My favorite place on campus is definitely the Hop. I love the food there, so it was a hit to me when I found out it was going to be closed all summer. I'd highly recommend the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Quesadilla there, though!
DS: What was it in the recruiting process that sold you on Dartmouth?
DK: All the football coaches just seemed so genuine and I felt like they really cared about me and my future. Coach Teevens visited my hometown multiple times, which not many head coaches do. Hanover is very different than my hometown, but the campus and students really made it feel like home when I visited.
DS: If you could play another sport at Dartmouth, what would it be and why?
DK: If I could play another sport, I think I'd ski. Personally, I've only ever skied one time in my life, and it was here. It did not go as smoothly as I hoped for, but I thought it was very cool.
DS: Outside of sports, what are you most passionate about?
DK: I actually really enjoy dancing. I've never taken any formal classes/lessons, but ever since I was little I've never been able to stand still when I hear a song going. I even do it during timeouts of games just to keep myself loose.
DS: What's the app you use most on your phone?
DK: Without a doubt I use Twitter the most. Whenever I need a good laugh, I'll open up Twitter and it never fails.
DS: What is your useless/hidden talent?
DK: I'm an avid ping-pong player. I used to play every day with my uncle growing up and it stuck with me.
DS: You step outside tomorrow morning and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million (after taxes). What would you do with the money?
DK: I'd give quite a bit to my parents immediately because they've done everything they possibly could to set me up for a school like Dartmouth. It'd be tough, but I would try and just keep the rest in the bank with no big purchases until after school. After that, though, I would definitely buy a vacation home on a beach somewhere and then a big house in Chicago.
DS: What would be your best advice to your 15-year-old self?
DK: My best advice to myself would be to be patient. The recruiting process can become very irritating at times, but I ended in a great place with great people and on an amazing team.
This installment focuses on DeKalb, Illinois, native Derek Kyler of the Big Green football team.
DartmouthSports.com: What is your favorite place on campus?
Derek Kyler: My favorite place on campus is definitely the Hop. I love the food there, so it was a hit to me when I found out it was going to be closed all summer. I'd highly recommend the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Quesadilla there, though!
DS: What was it in the recruiting process that sold you on Dartmouth?
DK: All the football coaches just seemed so genuine and I felt like they really cared about me and my future. Coach Teevens visited my hometown multiple times, which not many head coaches do. Hanover is very different than my hometown, but the campus and students really made it feel like home when I visited.
DS: If you could play another sport at Dartmouth, what would it be and why?
DK: If I could play another sport, I think I'd ski. Personally, I've only ever skied one time in my life, and it was here. It did not go as smoothly as I hoped for, but I thought it was very cool.
DS: Outside of sports, what are you most passionate about?
DK: I actually really enjoy dancing. I've never taken any formal classes/lessons, but ever since I was little I've never been able to stand still when I hear a song going. I even do it during timeouts of games just to keep myself loose.
DS: What's the app you use most on your phone?
DK: Without a doubt I use Twitter the most. Whenever I need a good laugh, I'll open up Twitter and it never fails.
DS: What is your useless/hidden talent?
DK: I'm an avid ping-pong player. I used to play every day with my uncle growing up and it stuck with me.
DS: You step outside tomorrow morning and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million (after taxes). What would you do with the money?
DK: I'd give quite a bit to my parents immediately because they've done everything they possibly could to set me up for a school like Dartmouth. It'd be tough, but I would try and just keep the rest in the bank with no big purchases until after school. After that, though, I would definitely buy a vacation home on a beach somewhere and then a big house in Chicago.
DS: What would be your best advice to your 15-year-old self?
DK: My best advice to myself would be to be patient. The recruiting process can become very irritating at times, but I ended in a great place with great people and on an amazing team.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballFootball 2026 Spring Practice Preview
Wednesday, April 08
Football at Brown Postgame 11-22-25
Saturday, November 22
Football vs. Cornell Postgame Press Conference 11-15-25
Saturday, November 15
Football vs. Princeton Postgame Press Conference 11-8-25
Saturday, November 08
