Six things you need to know about Arizona freshman Grant Gunnell, tonight's starting QB
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The true freshman replaces Khalil Tate, who is hurt and won't play against UCLA.
Khalil Tate out, Grant Gunnell in vs. UCLA
UpdatedSaturday evening brought disheartening news for Arizona Wildcats fans: Star quarterback Khalil Tate will not play against UCLA, reportedly the result of a hamstring injury suffered two weeks ago against Texas Tech.
The Wildcats will replace Tate with Grant Gunnell, a 6-foot-6-inch, 225-pound true freshman who was the prize of Kevin Sumlin's first full recruiting class at Arizona.
Gunnell has played once already this season, completing 9 of 11 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns in relief against NAU on Sept. 7. This marks his first collegiate start.
Here are six things to know about the Cats' new starting QB:
1. He's a Texas star.
UpdatedGunnell is, quite simply, the most prolific passer in the history of the most football-mad state in the union.
Gunnell threw for 16,108 yards and 195 touchdowns, both state records, in three-plus seasons at St. Pius X High School in Houston. He was intercepted just 28 times on 1,471 attempts.
Check out his highlights here:
2. He was going to stay home — and then things changed.
UpdatedGunnell initially verbally committed to Texas A&M in June 2017, where he hoped to play for coach Kevin Sumlin and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone.
A&M was, he admitted, his dream school. But the coaches were more important. When Sumlin and Mazzone landed at Arizona seven months later, Gunnell began to rethink his plans.
3. He was recruited by the UA president.
UpdatedGunnell verbally committed to the Wildcats in June 2018. He cited his familiarity with Sumlin and Mazzone as, a well as "talking to the president." UA president Robert C. Robbins, a onetime Texas resident and massive football fan, talked to the quarterback prospect during his visit to Tucson.
Gunnell came away impressed.
“It was the first time I ever talked to a school president,” Gunnell said. “That was sweet. He made sure he was around. He wanted to see me.”
There was good reason for Robbins' excitement: At the time he committed, Gunnell was the highest-rated quarterback to pick the UA since Shea Patterson. Patterson never enrolled at the UA, instead playing at Ole Miss before transferring to Michigan.
4. He enrolled in college a semester early.
UpdatedGunnell isn't your typical true freshman — in part because he's been here longer than most of his classmates. Gunnell enrolled at the UA a semester early, and was able to take part in spring ball with his new Wildcats teammates.
When he was still in high school, Gunnell told the Star that enrolling in January equalled basically "a free semester to get used to college life, learn the style of the program and get with the players before summer starts.”
5. His work ethic is legendary.
UpdatedAs a high-schooler Gunnell woke up every morning at 4:15 a.m., then went to his personal trainer from 5-6 a.m. before heading to school — which was located an hour away — or to work out. During the offseasons, he led two-hour, offseason practice sessions that began at 7 a.m.
Gunnell went to bed at 9 p.m. in order to be wide awake when the alarm went off 7 hours and 15 minutes later.
6. He has Arizona ties.
UpdatedGunnell's mother, Julie, grew up in Scottsdale, and one of his aunts attended the UA and worked at KVOA-TV. One of Gunnell's two brothers, Will, was a walk-on receiver for the Wildcats until earlier this season, when he quit to focus on academics.
Grant Gunnell is a pre-business major.
More information
- Arizona Wildcats stars Khalil Tate, J.J. Taylor injured, won't play tonight vs. UCLA
- What to watch for when the Arizona Wildcats host UCLA
- 'Mr. Football' on why recycling has failed in the Pac-12, how Cats and Bruins compare — and who wins Saturday
- 3 critical factors for Arizona as Wildcats open Pac-12 play against UCLA
- Trevon Mason, the running game and roster management among storylines to watch when Cats, Bruins meet
- Hansen's Sunday Notebook: 'McKale Magic' on display during Red-Blue spectacle
- Grant Gunnell joins a short list, Arizona dusts off an old logo, and los Gatos top los Osos de UCLA
- Greg Hansen: Wildcats get peek at future with QB Grant Gunnell, who embodies new 'I am. I can. I will.' mantra
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