Hopkinton resident Cam Kenney added to his list of football accolades this fall after being named a freshman All-American, a distinction that earned him a spot in this month’s Football University All-American Bowl in Naples, Florida.

“Being an All-American has been a dream of mine for a couple of years now,” Kenney said. “I went down to Florida in eighth grade and I saw the freshman All-American game in person, and I remember telling my dad that I was going to play in that game.”

Kenney’s selection follows a standout season at Dexter Southfield in which the 6-foot-3, 275-pounder started on the offensive line and helped the team to a 7-3 record. It also comes after Kenney switched from his usual left tackle position to right guard.

“I trained all summer because I knew we were going to be losing some seniors on the offensive line and I didn’t know who we were going to bring in,” he said. “I worked the left side and the right side, just to be ready for anything.”

Kenney said the move to the right side of the line was “a little weird” and necessitated adjusting to working with the center and taking on bigger, stronger inside linebackers. Still, he was pleased with the way he played.

“I thought I had a very solid freshman year,” he said.

The FBU All-American Bowl has a distinguished list of alumni, including NFL stars like Christian McCaffrey, Bryce Young, Jadyn Davis, Sony Michel, Cam Akers, JT Daniels, Josh Downs, Travis Hunter and Trevor Lawerence

Competing on the national stage is nothing new for Kenney. Last winter, he earned a spot in the Grade 8 Under Armor All-America Game. Ahead of his eighth grade year, he went to Georgia for a national lineman showcase known as The Show, put on by NXGen Sports. Then, in July, Kenny took part in a national combine at Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas, earning a spot on the all-camp team. During that trip, he was able to take part in the Middle School Dream All-American game at Dallas Cowboys headquarters in Frisco.

Kenney has grown an inch and tacked on 40 pounds since entering high school, and he said he still is focused on getting stronger. He credits the coaching staff at Dexter with helping him become a more technically sound player, and he plans to continue to drill the fundamentals to be the best lineman he can be. Kenney said he’s thrilled to have the chance to take part in the All-American game this winter.

“I have had it marked on my calendar ever since I found out that I was selected,” he said. “We are pretty hyped over here at the Kenney household.”