Grant Gunnell commitment could be first of many Lone Star recruits to Arizona

By Mitch Stephens Jun 8, 2018, 12:00am

Prolific Houston-area quarterback follows former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin to Tucson.

Video: Grant Gunnell Ultimate Highlights
Long and athletic quarterback has thrown for nearly 10,000 yards and 126 touchdowns in two seasons.

The University of Arizona is No. 57 on the 247 football recruiting rankings for the Class of 2019.

Grant Gunnell
Grant Gunnell
Courtesy 247Sports
That number figures to rise significantly with the commitment this week of 4-star quarterback Grant Gunnell, a 6-foot-6, 222-pound rising senior from St. Pius X (Houston).

Gunnell is the No. 3-rated pro style quarterback in the country and No. 97 recruit overall, according to 247Sports, but his impact in Tucson and the Pac-12 Conference figures to be greater than running the Wildcats' offense.

247Sports recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong called Gunnell a "lighting rod recruit with a ton of relationships with his peers. He should help bolster the Wildcat staff's efforts on the trail. He's a bell-cow that will push offers to join him."

That's music to the ears of new Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin, the former Texas A&M coach.



Arizona hasn't been a landing spot for a lot of Texas recruits, but it may be now.

Gunnell threw for nearly 10,000 yards (9,909) and 126 touchdowns the last two seasons at St. Pius. He's thrown 17 interceptions and rushed for 20 scores over three seasons. 

Gunnell had originally committed to Texas A&M so this move wasn't a complete surprise. "For me it was definitely the comfortability with the coaches and everything I learned on my official visit," Gunnell told Wiltfong.