New Cal Kicker Kyle Cunanan Talks About His Future at Cal

Kyle Cunanan enters Cal’s football program with a track record that speaks volumes. During his freshman season at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, he led the team in scoring with 43 points, connecting on 9 of his 15 field goal attempts and maintaining a perfect 16-for-16 record on PATs. He also tied a school record with three field goals made in back-to-back games. Cunahan followed his frosh season by going a perfect 5-for-5 with field goals as well as 5-for-5 in extra points before giving way to fellow kicker Stephen Rusnak, who was perfect himself with an 11-for-11 mark in field goals and 25-for-25 in extra points.

I had the privilege of talking with Cunanan to discuss his promising future at Cal, and his enthusiasm and positivity were immediately evident. While his talent on the field speaks for itself, it’s his character and well-rounded approach that truly exemplify the camaraderie within the Cal football program. Kyle is an accomplished athlete and a standout kicker, making him a player to watch closely in the upcoming season.

Reflecting on his standout debut season, Cunanan credits his success to staying focused on the things he could control. "I went in knowing there’d be competition, so I just tried my best to focus on what I could control. If I could do that, I knew I’d earn the starting spot," he shared. "It’s easy to get wrapped up in things you can’t control, but I tried to stay away from that."

Now preparing to take the field for Cal, Cunanan brings with him not just experience but a level-headed mindset shaped by his time at Charlotte. While some might see the ACC as a step up in pressure, he emphasizes that kicking is the same no matter where you are.

"We played some big out-of-conference games at Charlotte—like against Florida and Indiana—so I’ve been in those moments," he explained. "At the end of the day, kicks are the same." When speaking with Kyle he explained how whether the team is up 30-0 or tied in the last 30 seconds, a kick is a kick. It needs to be good consistently and it’s entirely in his control.

With three seasons of eligibility remaining, Cunanan has his sights set on making an impact both on and off the field.

"My goal is to be a winner," he said. "Whether that’s winning games or awards, I want to do what’s best for the team. Sure, I might kick a game-winning field goal, but the win is because the TEAM won. It's a team effort. I also want to make a lasting impact all around campus and in the community" said Cunanan.

Balancing athletics and academics is no small feat, but Cunanan has proven he can handle it, maintaining a 3.73 GPA at Charlotte. At Cal, he plans to keep school a top priority.

"Education is a big thing today, so I always put it above most things," he said. "Being in an engineering program (At Charlotte) was already rigorous, so I’m not expecting any big surprises. It’s all about prioritizing what really matters."

Long term, Cunanan has clear aspirations: "I’d love to make it to the league as a kicker," he said. "Cal has the connections to help me get there, but if football doesn’t work out, I’ve got a plan in place. That’s what’s great about Cal—there’s so much opportunity on and off the field."

As for his current skill set, Cunanan describes his range as "comfortably 60 yards and in," with adrenaline often adding a few extra yards in-game. He’s also eager to compete for both field goal and kickoff duties at Cal. "Ideally, I’d handle both jobs, but that’s ultimately out of my control," he said.

Cunanan is excited about the new environment, praising Cal’s coaching staff, the team dynamic, and the overall support for kickers. “There’s too many things to be excited about here” he said. "It’s a great place on and off the field. This is the right move for me.”

As Kyle Cunanan begins his journey with the Golden Bears, one thing is clear—his combination of talent, focus, and ambition makes him a player to watch in the seasons ahead.