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Kevin Dent

Safety

Inducted 2006

Date of Birth

5/31/1967

Birthplace

Vicksburg, MS

School

Jackson State University (1985-1988)

Bio

At Vicksburg High School, Kevin Dent played both quarterback and defensive back. He started at quarterback for three seasons and led his team to a combined 23-9 record. “He was calm, collected and ran the offense for us. He was the difference in four or five wins his senior season,” remembered a coach. On defense he gave a preview of where he would excel in college by intercepting five passes his senior season. “Kevin was one of those guys that was on top of his game, He didn’t make any mistakes,” said Alonzo Stevens, his high school defensive coordinator. “He was a true student of the game. You couldn’t fool him. Having the experience of being a quarterback and knowing the intricacies of the passing game gave him an advantage playing defense. Yet somehow, major college coaches overlooked Dent and he had to settle for playing on the I-AA (FCS) level. Making the move to college was a learning experience for Kevin. “You have to grow up fast once you get to college. They run faster, they hit harder, work longer and that first spring really opened my eyes.” He quickly adjusted and became a starter halfway through his freshman season. In his sophomore season, he tied for the nation’s lead in interceptions with ten, taking two back for touchdowns. From that point on offenses all around the SWAC avoided his side of the field. Despite that fact, he was twice named the conference defensive player of the year and his interception total of 21 still put him among the all-time top 25 at the time of his enshrinement. That 1986 sophomore season saw Kevin become an All-America, an honor he repeated as a junior and senior. More importantly, Dent was a winner as the team won a co-championship his freshman season and took sole possession of the title the next three years.