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Six things you need to know about Arizona freshman Grant Gunnell, tonight's starting QB

Arizona Daily Star
Sep 28, 2019
Sep 28, 2019 Updated Sep 28, 2019

The true freshman replaces Khalil Tate, who is hurt and won't play against UCLA.

Khalil Tate out, Grant Gunnell in vs. UCLA

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Grant Gunnell (17) looks for an open man to make a pass to during Arizona's win over NAU earlier this month.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star

Saturday 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.

082618 HS Football preview — St. Pius quarterback Grant Gunnell, one of the All-Greater Houston preseason football team, during his school’s practice on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 in Houston.
Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle

Gunnell 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.

Mississippi State Texas A M Football — Kevin Sumlin won eight or more games in each of his first five seasons as head coach at Texas A&M.
Sam Craft / The Associated Press 2017

Gunnell 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.

He decommitted from Texas A&M on Feb. 13, 2018.

3. He was recruited by the UA president.

UA Installation Ceremony Dr. Robbins — Dr. Robert C. Robbins is flanked by Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat during a reception following the Presidential Installation Ceremony for Robbins on Nov. 29, 2017.
Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Gunnell 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.

Spring game — Quarterback Grant Gunnell stands in to throw as the pocket collapse around him for the University of Arizona's spring game.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Gunnell 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.

St. Pius vs. Concordia L - HSFB — St. Pius X Panthers quarterback Grant Gunnell (7) follows the blocking by St. Pius X Panthers tackle Matthew Morgan.
Tim Warner/ Houston Chronicle

As 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.

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Grant Gunnell (17) hands the ball of to running back J.J. Taylor in Arizona's win over NAU.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star

Gunnell'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.