Chester native Kurtis Harper commits to Axemen football

The Acadia Axemen football program has added size and leadership to its defensive unit with the commitment of Kurtis Harper for the 2026 Atlantic University Sport season.

The 6'3, 235-pound defender from Chester, N.S., joins Acadia after a strong high school career at Auburn Drive High School in Dartmouth.

Harper developed through several programs in Nova Scotia, beginning with the Sea Hawks in the NSMFB league during the 2021–22 season. His team posted a perfect 10-0 record that year. Harper served as team captain and was named Offensive Player of the Year.

He later competed with Bayview during the 2022–23 season before finishing his high school career at Auburn Drive. Over his final two seasons with the Eagles, Harper continued to grow as a physical and versatile defender in the SSNS league.

Known for his size and athleticism, Harper projects as a defensive back/defensive hybrid capable of impacting multiple areas of the field. His leadership experience at the minor and high school levels adds to the presence he will bring to the Axemen locker room.

Harper said his decision to commit to Acadia was about becoming part of something meaningful.

“I wanna be a part of something bigger than myself,” he said.

Harper will enroll in Acadia’s sociology program when he arrives on campus.