[2][3] He was shifted from halfback to end in 1913,[4] playing opposite Robbie Robinson.

Donahue's 7-Box or 7-2-2 defensive scheme required fast ends which could disrupt a play from the start; a role filled by Kearley.

[5] He recovered three fumbles in the game with Georgia Tech in 1914, a 14 to 0 victory.

"Bull Kearley was the star on both sides and gave an exhibition of football the like of which has never seen on a southern gridiron before.

He covered every punt and nearly every time nailed the man in his tracks, once coming down the field so hard that the man, receiving the punt, fumbled it to get out of the way.