Arizona Wildcats quarterback commit Grant Gunnell is on pace to smash the Texas state career records for passing yards and passing touchdowns.
HOUSTON — Noel Mazzone sometimes calls him “Brock.”
All it takes is one quick glance to get in on the joke. Physically, 6-foot-6-inch Grant Gunnell resembles 6-7 Brock Osweiler, whom Mazzone, Arizona’s offensive coordinator, coached at Arizona State.
So here’s the question, Wildcats fans: Can you accept that the best comp for the player who might be the next great UA quarterback is a Sun Devil?
What if a better projection is actually a 6-6 quarterback who made the move from Texas to Tucson, is unfailingly polite and always has performed better in pads than shorts?
Grant Gunnell of Texas is the third-ranked pro-style QB in the class of 2019. UCLA and Ohio State had been among his finalists.
It’s far too soon to compare Gunnell to reigning Super Bowl champ Nick Foles. But when you meet and talk to Gunnell, the prolific quarterback from St. Pius X High School who’s committed to Arizona’s 2019 class, that’s the vibe you get. He seems humble, composed and mature beyond his 18 years.
“A once-in-a-generation-type quarterback,” St. Pius X coach Erik DeHaven said. “Everything he does on the field is the same as what he does off the field. There’s no difference between the two. He’s a positive leader of our young men. He is who he is. He’s special.”
Gunnell has a chance to finish his high school career as the all-time Texas leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He led St. Pius X to the 2017 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Division I state championship game, where the Panthers lost by a point to Plano Prestonwood.
Gunnell said that defeat haunts him and drives him every day.
Mostly, though, Gunnell looks forward.
Not only can the towering Texan see over the line to read the defense, he can envision what the future holds. It’s as clear as a blitzing safety who doesn’t adequately mask his intentions.
Gunnell can see himself as Mazzone’s next Osweiler, who passed for 4,036 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2011 at ASU, became a second-round draft pick and remains in the NFL. Or perhaps 6-4 Josh Rosen, whom Mazzone recruited and coached for one season at UCLA. Rosen was the Cardinals’ first-round pick this year.
“Those are guys that look like me — spitting images,” Gunnell said. “That was one of the main things I was looking for. I’m kind of what he wants.”
As Gunnell spoke to a pair of reporters after another stellar, winning performance last Friday night, Mazzone’s son, Taylor, waited patiently nearby. Taylor Mazzone is Arizona’s outside receivers coach. The UA would face Houston in about 12 hours.
But first the younger Mazzone had to check in on Gunnell. The two talked as they walked from Kubiak Stadium to the Panthers’ locker room. Gunnell was previously committed to Texas A&M, so he has known the Mazzones and Kevin Sumlin for a while.
“They’re just awesome,” Gunnell said. “I can’t wait to get there.”
