Photo by: Sophia Kuder/Utah Athletics
Newcomer Notebook: Dillon Curtis
8/23/2025 1:49 PM | Football
Final installment of preseason series introduces a freshman kicker and Wasatch Front local
SALT LAKE CITY — One week separates Utah Football from kickoff, as the Utes begin the 2025 season against a familiar foe and former conference rival in UCLA on Saturday, Aug. 30. Game time is set for 9 p.m. MT, with the matchup televised on FOX from inside the Rose Bowl.
Newcomers are contributing throughout all three phases for the Utes, including on special teams. Among them is true freshman kicker Dillon Curtis, who grew up in nearby Murray, Utah. He emerged as a six-star kicker and five-star punter while at Murray High School, setting the Utah state high school record for longest field goal made (63 yards) and most field goals made in a season (21 as a senior in 2024).
UtahUtes.com visited with Curtis to mark the final installment of the preseason Newcomer Notebook series.
How are things going settling into the U and college football?
"It's a great atmosphere here. We're bonding together with the guys, getting closer with our teammates and really becoming a family. On the field, I feel like I'm starting to earn my teammates' trust. I feel like that's a huge step forward."
What does it mean to be part of a program such as Utah with a history of successful specialists?
"I'm just super excited to see if I can become one of the greats and compare to what the former guys established here and the legacy they left here. If I could come near that, I would be very proud."
When did you start playing football? How did you discover kicking?
"I started playing a month before my junior season started. I went to play receiver. The team needed a kicker, so I tried kicking and it was going well. I thought I could go somewhere with kicking and stopped playing receiver."
Is there a routine you have before you line up for a kick?
"When I get to the back of my steps on a field goal, I take a deep breath and get on my toes. After that, my focus is to just go and make the field goal."
Describe the chemistry that is key between a kicker, holder and snapper.
"We've been working together since Spring. I got here in January and met Logan Castor and Orion Phillips. We've been getting closer every single day with the countless reps we've had together. The feel for the right operation is really there now. It's great to bond with those guys and my other teammates. I feel like we're going to have a successful year."
Being from nearby, what Utah Football memories do you have growing up here?
"I'd actually only been to one Utah game before I started getting recruited. It was in 2021 when Utah played UCLA. And now, the first game I'll play in is Utah against UCLA. It's kind a of a full-circle moment."
What local insight do you share with the guys that aren't from Utah, to help them settle in?
"I let them know what's fun around here. We're right next to the canyons; you can get up to the mountain lakes and go fishing. I'm not a very good fisherman, but it's peaceful out there."
Follow Utah Football
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
For more information on Utah Athletics, visit utahutes.com and download the Utah 360 app here.
Newcomers are contributing throughout all three phases for the Utes, including on special teams. Among them is true freshman kicker Dillon Curtis, who grew up in nearby Murray, Utah. He emerged as a six-star kicker and five-star punter while at Murray High School, setting the Utah state high school record for longest field goal made (63 yards) and most field goals made in a season (21 as a senior in 2024).
UtahUtes.com visited with Curtis to mark the final installment of the preseason Newcomer Notebook series.
Playing for the guy next to you??#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/80Rd0QVYBp
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 20, 2025
How are things going settling into the U and college football?
"It's a great atmosphere here. We're bonding together with the guys, getting closer with our teammates and really becoming a family. On the field, I feel like I'm starting to earn my teammates' trust. I feel like that's a huge step forward."
What does it mean to be part of a program such as Utah with a history of successful specialists?
"I'm just super excited to see if I can become one of the greats and compare to what the former guys established here and the legacy they left here. If I could come near that, I would be very proud."
When did you start playing football? How did you discover kicking?
"I started playing a month before my junior season started. I went to play receiver. The team needed a kicker, so I tried kicking and it was going well. I thought I could go somewhere with kicking and stopped playing receiver."
Is there a routine you have before you line up for a kick?
"When I get to the back of my steps on a field goal, I take a deep breath and get on my toes. After that, my focus is to just go and make the field goal."
Describe the chemistry that is key between a kicker, holder and snapper.
"We've been working together since Spring. I got here in January and met Logan Castor and Orion Phillips. We've been getting closer every single day with the countless reps we've had together. The feel for the right operation is really there now. It's great to bond with those guys and my other teammates. I feel like we're going to have a successful year."
Being from nearby, what Utah Football memories do you have growing up here?
"I'd actually only been to one Utah game before I started getting recruited. It was in 2021 when Utah played UCLA. And now, the first game I'll play in is Utah against UCLA. It's kind a of a full-circle moment."
What local insight do you share with the guys that aren't from Utah, to help them settle in?
"I let them know what's fun around here. We're right next to the canyons; you can get up to the mountain lakes and go fishing. I'm not a very good fisherman, but it's peaceful out there."
Follow Utah Football
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
For more information on Utah Athletics, visit utahutes.com and download the Utah 360 app here.
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