Gunnell back at it after leg injury ended 2021 season
For the first time since August, Grant Gunnell wasn't thinking about his right leg injury during a Memphis football practice. He was focused on reading, reacting and making plays on the field.
Gunnell ran out with the Tigers for an 11-on-11 drill Tuesday and didn't look tentative. The junior quarterback planted and threw a pass to receiver then jogged ahead for the next play without hesitation.
The rhythm was familiar but it still took getting used to after he missed of all last season following surgery.
“I think I'm getting there,” Gunnell said. “I'm probably a couple days away from being back to 100% being able to process and do things like that.
It wasn't the path he expected after transferring to Memphis in December 2020. After two seasons at Arizona, Gunnell chose the Tigers because he loved how the offense had no trouble scoring points or featuring playmakers.
He admired how the team looked in the 2019 Cotton Bowl facing Penn State. His father Chris also had familiarity with coach Ryan Silverfield, as the two happened to sit next other on a flight years ago when Silverfield was the Tigers' offensive line coach.
When he arrived, Gunnell was expected to be the favorite to start at quarterback. Although he and Seth Henigan battled in preseason practice last season, Gunnell was seen on Aug. 18 taking first-team reps during open periods viewed by media.
Then came the injury and Gunnell became a spectator for the Tigers' 6-6 season.
“It was tough. I wanted to be out there and playing but I took it as a learning perspective and use it to my advantage,” he said. “Being able to learn from what Seth and the offense did. Being able to see the defense coverages from the sidelines. I was upset at first, obviously. It was hard. I didn't stay down for too long.
After two weeks in a cast, he could barely move his leg before beginning his rehabilitation. He credited the Memphis athletic training staff with helping him get comfortable walking and running before he did additional rehab this past winter.
Silverfield said Gunnell often encouraged and assisted Henigan in the quarterback room. Henigan added Gunnell took him under his wing when both arrived in January 2021 and he still considers him one of his best friends.
“He taught me a lot of of the offense and we watched a lot of film together my first spring, so I've built that relationship with him and we've maintained it,” Henigan said.
Of course, that bond doesn't overshadow there's only one football. Gunnell's experience made him the favorite last summer but now he and Henigan have to prove themselves again to Silverfield and first-year offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey.
It's a battle Gunnell's happy to see again. After it was cut short last season, he's glad to put it behind him and resume what he came to Memphis to do. Even if it takes a while getting used to live competition again.
“I haven't played football since last fall camp so I'm still getting back in there being able to process things at full speed,” said Gunnell. “It takes a while but I'm getting there.”