FOOTBALL Let's break down Grant Gunnell

wisconsin_tiger · May 9, 2022

I know Grant Gunnell has already been argued over quite a bit, but I wanted to make a new thread to break him down and see what we could potentially be getting. Note, I am not a football scout, so take my findings and observations however you like.

Initially committed to Texas A&M, but when Kevin Sumlin was let go Gunnell ended up following him to Arizona. He chose Arizona despite offers from schools like Alabama, LSU, Oregon and 30 other schools including Mizzou. He was initially ranked a four star and despite passing for 4,752 passing yards with 53 TDs 7 INTs with 9 rushing TDs and being named to the USA Today 2nd Team – he was downgraded to a three-star recruit.

In 2019, he played in eight games with three starts and completed 101 of 155 passes (65.2%) for 1,239 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception.

In 2020, he started four games and completed 64 of 93 passes (68.8%) for six touchdowns and two interceptions.

Gunnell then opted to transfer to Memphis.

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All right, with that out of the way let’s break down some film. The best film I can find for this purpose is the 2020 game against #20 USC. This video is awesome because it highlights every drop back he makes instead of just highlights. I’m aware we’re dealing with a small sample size and not to read too much into one game (you’ll see why later). I’m going to break down what I see by quarter and then outline my overall findings at the end.

Context Note: This is the first game of the 2020 season and Wikipedia describes this Wildcat team as such:

In 2020, the Wildcats played a truncated season with a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season followed an offseason of poor recruiting and players taking COVID-19 opt-outs and Sumlin being placed on the hot seat.

So, this isn’t a good team and man, it really shows on the offensive line.

First Quarter:

First pass of the game bounces off the receiver's chest and is almost picked off – not his fault.
The next pass he hesitates slightly and sails a pass over his receiver's head and it is picked off by the safety – 100% his fault. Sets up USC to put AZ down 7-0 early.
He scrambles (awkwardly) for a first down on 3rd & 7
Moves around in the pocket impressively avoiding a sack and throws it away
Hits his receiver on drag route and takes it 33 yards to the house

Second Quarter:

Runs a series of options, flare passes and short slants with mixed results
Misses his WRs on a 23-yard pass in the endzone, it was in spot were only the WR could get but overthrown. Drive ends in an FG
With two minutes remaining in the half, uses his legs to extend the drive. I would guess two rushes for 19 yards. Another FG going into halftime

Third Quarter:

Starts off hot and hits his WR 40 yards down field for 75-yard TD pass. USC 20 – AZ 20
Series of short passes, where AZ adds an FG in somewhere?

Fourth Quarter:

Down 27-23 with 3:30 in the 4th, Gunnell makes a series of off-platform throws for a first then has a facemask penalty extend the drive and set them up at USC’s 29-yard line.
Gunnell hits series of two passes along the left sideline to keep the drive going while stopping the clock.
While set up in a bunch formation, Gunnell hits his WRs on a screen pass and put AZ up 30-27 after the FG with 1:35 seconds remaining in the game.
USC would end up going the length of the field and scoring a TD to win the game. During that drive, an AZ would jump up have the football bounce out of his hands and land in a USC’s WRs hands four away – tough break. This is a game that AZ should have won and they loss

Gunnell would finish 24/36 (66.7%) 286 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT.

Main Takeaways:

Gunnell has enough arm strength to make all the throws. Shows good zip on slants and other short throws, he puts some touch on his deep balls, can hit breaking out routes with few issues.
Good accuracy and decision making. He both made and missed some deep throws, but he also threw the ball away when the play wasn’t there. He also threw the ball into the ground when a screen pass was completely blown up. Given his TD/INT ratio, this guy knows when and where to take risks.
First off, the Wildcat’s offensive line was pretty bad this game. That being said, Gunnell showed great pocket awareness and was able to move around in the pocket to buy time.
Given the lackluster rushing stats I expected to see a statue, but he actually surprised me when he did scramble in this game. He beat the defenders by using his agility and running through them. It takes a while for him build up speed, but man when he gets going... is just slightly above average.
Inconsistent with his footwork which leads to inconsistent accuracy.
Suffered a shoulder injury at Arizona, then blew out his Achilles before the 2021 Memphis season.

Now, hopefully you remember earlier when I mentioned we’re dealing with a small sample size and not to read too much into one game. Here are the rest of his starts (cough, cough losses) for 2020:

By my estimations, he is 1-6 as a starter. The lone victory being against UCLA in 2019, where he threw for 352 and a TD in a 20-17 win at Arizona Stadium. He a suffered an shoulder injury in the 2020 UCLA game and since he only threw one pass, we won't count it as a loss.

In summary, I’m not trying to say whether he would be good at Mizzou or not – I think there is enough information to make a case either way. This post will provide enough ammo for optimists to hype up his potential and his 14/3 TD/INT ratio. The pessimists meanwhile will point to his 1-6 overall record as starter and his injury history.

Let me know what I got right and if missed something.

pepe le pew · May 9, 2022