Uphill Battle: Post-injury, Aggie Justin Dunning free to realize potential

By comparison, Sisyphus had it easy. His only task was to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity. 

But nowhere in Greek Mythology did Sisyphus push the rock after undergoing three major knee surgeries.

Texas A&M safety (or is it linebacker? or is it defensive end?) Justin Dunning has endured three knee injuries. Yet, he keeps pushing to resume his football career.

Indeed, if rolling boulders up a slope was the required to get back on the field, Dunning would probably do it. Adam Cook, Dunning’s coach at Whitehouse High School, would guarantee it.

“He has a great work ethic. You’re not going to outwork that kid,” Cook said earlier this week. “We did a boot camp going into his senior year. We did it the same day as a track meet. Justin went out and won the hurdles after doing the boot camp workout. He always understood he has God-given abilities and what he had to do to be the best he can be. He wasn’t going to let the opportunity get away.”

The opportunity was certainly there.

In 2013 Whitehouse roster included quarterback Patrick Mahomes, an eventual first-round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs, current Texas Tech receiver Dylan Cantrell and current North Texas cornerback Nate Brooks.

Still, Dunning stood out. And not just because he was 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.

“He’s a very talented kid,” Cook said. “He was so big and so fast. He ran like a 4.4 40 and to be as big as he was — he was something special.”

He sure projected to be something special. Who wouldn’t want a big, fast, physical presence in the middle of the secondary?

You know the story, though. A knee injury forced him to sit out Whitehouse’s 2013 season. Then, another prematurely ended his 2015 season at A&M. Then, another in spring drills sidelined him for the 2016 campaign.

The news of the most recent knee injury was painfully disappointing to Aggies. It might have hurt worse in Whitehouse, where Dunning was immensely popular with classmates and faculty.

“Justin was very well-liked by peers. Teachers loved to have Justin in their class,” Cook said. “He was not a problem in the classroom. You never had to worry about Justin getting in trouble or being out of dress code. Little kids flocked to him. Everybody loved Justin.  He was never picking on other kids. He’s just a great young man. The kind you want your boys to grow up to be like.”

Dunning has done some growing of his own. He’s now up to a chiseled 240 pounds and has shifted to defensive end or linebacker. Cook has some interesting ideas on who Dunning could be like in that role.

“We’ve watched great A&M defensive ends… Von Miller, Myles Garrett. That boy (Dunning) could do the same thing with the tools and God-given ability he has,” Cook said. “The biggest part is just making up his mind that’s what he wants to do. Physically, he can play anywhere."

Comparing Dunning to a pair of All-Americans who both accumulated more than 30 career sacks and were drafted second and first overall in the NFL draft may seem unfair. Some might say suggesting Dunning could match their production is setting him up to fail.

However, in Whitehouse he’s already a success just because he fought that uphill battle to get back on the field. The only question now is the level of success Dunning will attain.

“We’re exited for him,” Cook said. "We’re blessed to have him represent us. I know a lot of people will be pulling for No. 8 when he steps on the field.

“But we’re going to love him for what he’s already done. We love him for who he is and what he’s given us. We’re proud of him regardless of what he does.”