'19 TX QB - Grant Gunnell (Transfer to Memphis)

Why Grant Gunnell’s official visit is Ohio State’s most important yet #GoBucks https://t.co/DH1L2Hn25g pic.twitter.com/DIw8xu1QQR

— Landof10 Ohio State (@Landof10OSU) April 23, 2018

 

PUTTING ALL THE EGGS IN ONE BASKET
Houston St. Pius X four-star quarterback Grant Gunnell arrived on campus this morning for his highly anticipated official visit. He’s joined by his parents, Chris and Julie.

The 6-foot-6, 222-pound Gunnell — considered the third-best pro-style quarterback and No. 96 prospect overall in the Class of 2019 — is without a doubt Ohio State’s top target at the position, and it should go without saying the staff will push extremely hard for his commitment this weekend.

Head coach Urban Meyer has discussed at length the lack of depth in this year’s quarterback class, and the options at the position have dwindled during the spring as those with offers like North Carolina four-star Sam Howell (Florida State), Texas four-star Grant Tisdale (Ole Miss), Iowa four-star Max Duggan (TCU) and Maryland three-star Jalon Jones (Florida) have pledged their services elsewhere.

If all goes well this weekend, Ohio State will have either locked down one of the nation’s top quarterbacks — or, at the very least, be the leader in the clubhouse as Gunnell heads toward a possible May announcement.

Sources close to Gunnell have indicated to Eleven Warriors he would like to make an announcement during the Panthers’ Spring Game next month. But with nothing set in stone, a decision could honestly come at any time.

Keep in mind, Gunnell cancelled a scheduled trip to Oklahoma State for the Cowboys’ Spring Game this weekend in order to take his official visit to Columbus. Oregon was once a trendy pick, as well, but the Ducks appear to be on the verge of landing a commitment from former Northwestern three-star pledge Cale Millen.

Sources suggest LSU might actually be the biggest threat to the Buckeyes’ chances following a pair of trips to Baton Rouge since January. The Tigers hope to get him back on campus for an official visit later this spring, but obviously a lot of that depends on what happens this weekend.

I believe Meyer and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day will do everything in their power this weekend to cement Ohio State’s standing as Gunnell’s top school. And, quite honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he commits before heading home on Sunday.

However, if the Buckeyes strike out with Gunnell, landing another elite quarterback will be extremely difficult. The only other uncommitted signal caller with an offer is California four-star Jayden Daniels, but he’s never been to campus and is considered a USC lean.

The staff could certainly circle back to one of the aforementioned quarterbacks, but of course they may feel jaded since they weren’t Ohio State’s top priority from the beginning. Day has also been in contact with three-star prospects like Kettering Archbishop Alter’s Connor Bazelak and Florida’s Brian Maurer and Hayden Wolff. They're all good quarterbacks in their own right, but settling for one would certainly be a disappointment.

So, again, to say that this weekend is important for Ohio State is a vast understatement. These next two days could very well change the entire trajectory of Ohio State’s Dynasty ’19 recruiting class.

 

Grant Gunnell makes Ohio State official visit

Ohio State hosted perhaps its most important official visitor of the spring yet on Friday, Saturday and Sunday — Houston St. Pius X quarterback Grant Gunnell.

Gunnell, a 4-star prospect, is ranked as the No. 3 pro-style quarterback and No. 96 prospect overall in the 247Sports composite rankings for the 2019 class He is the top quarterback target for Ohio State in his class and has been a major priority for Urban Meyer and his coaching staff. After taking an unofficial visit to Ohio State previously in March, this follow-up official visit was critical for the Buckeyes.

Sources close to the recruitment informed Land of 10 that the Buckeyes hit a home run on Gunnell’s official visit, and I feel confident that they are now leading for the Texas quarterback. I have submitted a Crystal Ball prediction in Ohio State’s favor for Gunnell, and this has the feeling of a recruitment that could end soon.

I’m expecting Ohio State to land Wilson, the aforementioned wide receiver, later on Sunday and after the commitment of 4-star Ohio linebacker Cade Stover to the Buckeyes earlier in the day, this could be a massive weekend for the program.

Oregon, Texas A&M (where Gunnell was previously committed to Kevin Sumlin), Cal and Arizona have all received visits from Gunnell in between his two Ohio State trips, and Oklahoma State and LSU are considered contenders as well, but the Buckeyes have placed themselves in the driver’s seat.

Landing the 6-foot-6, 222-pound Gunnell would be a massive boost for the Buckeyes class. He is essentially the only remaining option for Ohio State at quarterback without going back to the drawing board and rebuilding the target list, so it will be critical to keep this momentum going and secure Gunnell’s commitment.

I hope to have more with Gunnell in the near future. Keep an eye out for more coverage of his official visit.

 

With his official visit to #OhioState in the rear view mirror, it's time for #Rivals100 QB Grant Gunnell to go into 'decision mode' https://t.co/mqaE5KCXiE #Buckeyes

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) April 30, 2018

 

Is Ohio State surging for Texas quarterback Grant Gunnell? #GoBucks https://t.co/PQdYwHfqQ0 pic.twitter.com/HGe92woA7u

— Landof10 Ohio State (@Landof10OSU) April 30, 2018

 

MOST IMPORTANT VISIT OF THE SPRING

Ohio State welcomed Houston St. Pius X four-star quarterback Grant Gunnell and his parents, Chris and Julie, to campus for an official visit this weekend.

To say the staff hit it out of the park would be an understatement.

“It was fantastic. They did a real nice job hosting the family and they certainly enjoyed it,” a source close to Gunnell told Eleven Warriors. “They got to know the coaches, their wives, the program and the academics much better. They really enjoyed themselves up there this weekend.”

The 6-foot-6, 222-pound Gunnell — who is considered the third-best pro-style quarterback and No. 96 prospect overall in the Class of 2019 — was last on campus with his father for an unofficial visit in early March. This marked his mother’s first trip to Columbus, however.

The family spent most of their time on campus with head coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day. They watched film together and discussed changes the staff wants to make within the Buckeyes’ offense that would certainly benefit a gunslinging — yet functionally mobile — signal caller like Gunnell.

“They asked a lot of tough questions,” the source said, noting the conversations also covered academics and life after football. “They want their son taken care of — as any parent would — and to make sure that he’s the style of quarterback they’re looking for. They felt like they had a lot of their questions answered.”

There’s no question Ohio State now leads Gunnell’s recruitment following this weekend’s visit. The emphasis the staff places on academics and providing avenues for their players outside of football — such as internships, guest lectures and job fairs — has separated them from schools like LSU and Oklahoma State.

“I think he’s just so interested and intrigued by what coach Meyer is doing there for the kids and really setting them up for life after football,” the source said. “He has aspirations and he wants to go to the NFL, but the academics and what he’s seen with the Real Life Wednesdays and all that has really piqued his interest.”

Gunnell — who wants to attend business school for sports marketing or finance — isn’t ready to make a decision just yet, though. The Panthers open spring practice this week, and he wants to focus all of his attention on that and competing in the Elite 11 Finals on June 1-3.

“He’ll probably try to wind it down and make a decision after that, but he doesn’t want any distractions for the Elite 11,” the source said. “He’ll probably just put it on hold until then.”

That said, Gunnell doesn’t have any other visits scheduled at the moment. He’s been to Baton Rouge twice since January and is quite familiar with Stillwater, so there’s not much left to see. There shouldn’t be too much anxiety in Columbus unless he decides to take another trip in the next few weeks.

With all that said, Ohio State has positioned itself to land one of the nation’s top quarterbacks and an elite recruiter who could bring some of Texas’ top prospects with him. And if he keeps the above mentioned timeline, it’ll be a huge boost for the Buckeyes as we head toward The Opening Finals and Friday Night Lights — both great opportunities for him to put his leadership skills on full display.

 

Houston (Texas) St. Pius X Top247 QB Grant Gunnell talks about his recent visit to #OhioState highlighted by his time with Urban Meyer and Ryan Day: https://t.co/7LadYgmCId #Buckeyes

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) May 3, 2018

 

I am extremely blessed and honored to receive an offer from UCLA! #4sUp #8Clap pic.twitter.com/4QB1XFa8Bd

— G² grant gunnell (@grantgunnell7) May 10, 2018

 

We caught up w/ #Rivals100 QB Grant Gunnell yesterday after his team's spring scrimmage. Four-star prospect is closing in on a decision. Talks #Buckeyes and more: https://t.co/y1i6xAfUy8

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) May 19, 2018

 

QB Grant Gunnell talks #OhioState, changing #Buckeyes offense, thoughts on decision with @Perroni247 VIP https://t.co/fj1xQWmrZB

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) May 21, 2018

 

LIKELY LANDING SPOT?
Where will nation’s top uncommitted QB land? @adamgorney, @rivalsmike & @RivalsKroogCity discuss Grant Gunnell's possible landing spot: https://t.co/L5mQlkjh39 #GigEm #Buckeyes #UofA #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/qlwp8J00RI

— Rivals (@Rivals) May 24, 2018

 

1000415749234708481 is not a valid tweet id

 

The latest on Grant Gunnell and Ohio State

I have flipped my prediction on 4-star 2019 quarterback Grant Gunnell on the 247Sports Crystal Ball from Ohio State to “foggy.” I previously submitted a prediction in the Buckeyes’ favor at the end of April following a huge visit to campus by Gunnell, but my confidence has waned significantly.

For the last several weeks, I’ve been expressing concern about the role of Arizona, LSU and other programs — but mostly those two — in Gunnell’s recruitment and the legitimacy of their status as true contenders for his commitment. Ohio State jumped out to a major lead in predictions toward the end of April, but the lead has eroded steadily since.

Fourteen Crystal Ball predictions have rolled in for Gunnell since May 10, all of them either in Arizona’s favor or switching to “foggy,” indicating the predictor is unsure of the target’s landing spot.

As much as I felt that the surge of Ohio State predictions at the end of April were somewhat premature and not representative of how close the recruitment actually was, I feel the same way now about this surge of predictions for Arizona.

Make no mistake: Arizona is a major contender for Gunnell, and his relationship with Wildcats coach Kevin Sumlin is second to none. It dates back to Sumlin’s time at Texas A&M, when Gunnell committed to the Aggies, and has made Arizona a serious threat for the standout quarterback.

However, LSU and Ohio State are still very much in the picture. Gunnell will visit LSU on June 16, per SEC Country’s Sam Spiegelman. This could be an official visit and will be his first visit to the school since January, when he checked out a Tigers’ junior day.

Gunnell is ranked as the No. 97 overall prospect and No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the 2019 class by the 247Sports composite rankings. The Houston St. Pius X quarterback is unquestionably the top priority at his position for Ohio State, Arizona and LSU.

Cal and Oregon remain in this recruitment, but I don’t ultimately view them as serious contenders in the way that Ohio State, Arizona and LSU are. This battle is likely going to come down to those three schools and should be concluded, one way or another, by the end of June.

Ohio State has impressed the Gunnell family with the off-field and professional programs, highlighted by Real Life Wednesdays, that are offered to players. Arizona’s advantage lies in the long-running relationship between the Gunnell family and Sumlin and members of his staff. LSU has the bonus of proximity, early pursuit and an advantageous depth chart. I’ve also heard rumblings that it’s the preferred destination of multiple people close to the standout quarterback.

As thing stand, I would be somewhat surprised if Gunnell ended up at Ohio State. He already has made his official visit to Columbus, and it’s not clear if the Buckeyes really have a chess move left to make. Gunnell would have to return to the campus on his own dime.

There are only five weekends remaining between now and the end of June, when Gunnell intends to have a decision made, and at least two of them will be taken up. Gunnell will participate in the Elite 11 Finals during the first weekend of June and his multi-day visit to LSU will encompass the third. If he performs well at the Elite 11, he could be invited to The Opening Finals, which will be held near Dallas on the final weekend of June.

The closing window for Ohio State to make another move for Gunnell is a point of concern. I think the Buckeyes have slipped behind Arizona and are in danger of falling behind LSU as well, which would provide little time for recovery before a decision is made.

 

Are the #Buckeyes in the mix still with the talented Houston St. Pius X quarterback? Find out more with the link. https://t.co/YZe88VUH3G

— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) May 29, 2018

 

VIDEO - A look at St. Pius X four-star quarterback Grant Gunnell in drills last weekend at #TheQBRetreat: https://t.co/a3KdBu56Wy pic.twitter.com/TKr3uj1kfk

— Blair Angulo (@BlairAngulo) May 31, 2018

 

Major commitment news: #Rivals100 QB @grantgunnell7 commits to Arizona! #BearDown

He details what went into his decision ➡️ https://t.co/rPP7fuT83v | pic.twitter.com/C1JsIhtA47

— Nick Krueger (@KroogCity) June 6, 2018

 

Grant Gunnell to transfer to Memphis https://t.co/orqtlhmS7d

— Memphis Tigers | TigerSportsReport.com (@Memphis_Rivals) December 24, 2020