Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

Pressure? Grant Gunnell welcomes it. Not necessarily the in-your-face pressure from a blitzing linebacker. No quarterback likes that, including Arizona's. We're talking about the pressure that comes with leading an offense and becoming the face of a program. It can be daunting, especially when that program has lost seven games in a row, has an embattled head coach and lacks depth and experience at key positions on defense. Gunnell wouldn't have it any other way. "There's always pressure when you're playing football," the sophomore said. "That's not a bad thing to me. I see and feel pressure as something that drives me. If you're not feeling pressure, those butterflies in your stomach, you don't love football. You can ask anyone." Arizona is asking a lot of Gunnell. Although he has only three career starts, he is the undisputed starting quarterback for 2020 and beyond. He was tasked with keeping the team together when they couldn't physically be together in the spring and summer. He represented the Wildcats during the virtual version of Pac-12 Media Days.

Only two of the 12 players were sophomores: Gunnell and Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels. UA players recently voted for team captains. Gunnell was the only sophomore to make the cut. The other four were fourth- or fifth-year veterans. "He's a natural-born leader," Wildcats cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace said. Although there's still work to be done - Gunnell showed great promise as a freshman, but it's a small sample size and he still has much to prove - the record-setting quarterback from Houston has toiled to reach this point. He's the starting QB for a Power Five program, piloting an offense built around him. "Grant has unbelievable passion for this game, and he wants to be really good at it," said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Noel Mazzone, who recruited Gunnell to Texas A&M before both made their way to Tucson. "This is something that he's worked (for) basically his whole young life up to this point, to play major college football. It's just very, very important to him." - Arizona Star News

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Grant Gunnell, Sam Houston
News Source: Arizona Star News
Share/Comment: Here

10/12/20 - Grant Gunnell, rSr/2025, Sam Houston, 6-5, 220 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Teammates and coaches have noticed a change in the second-year passer, who played well in a part-time role as a freshman last year. Gunnell shared time with senior Khalil Tate. Gunnell led the offense at times but was never truly in a position to lead the team. He is now. "It's hard to be a vocal leader when you're a freshman," veteran center Josh McCauley said. "That's something he'll … continue to pick up as we progress and as we grow as a team." While the Wildcats were forced to be apart because of the coronavirus pandemic, Gunnell made a concerted effort to check up on his teammates - on both sides of the ball. He'd regularly send out text messages with a goal of "staying on top of guys, making sure everyone's OK, off the field, on the field," Gunnell said. "Making sure everyone's getting their work in in the weight room, not slacking."

Gunnell spoke out through social media and other channels when the Pac-12 football season was in limbo. He participated in the player-driven #WeWantToPlay movement in August. In September, Gunnell wrote and published a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom asking him to help clear a path for the four Pac-12 schools in that state to begin practice. "I had no idea he did any of that stuff; he just did it," said Noel Mazzone, Arizona's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. "He's a very unselfish person. I think that just shows that what was important was not just, 'Hey I want to play football this year.' What it shows is his love for the game and his overall concern for all of college football, how important it is to our communities. "I think he sees that, and I think that was a pretty mature thing for him to do." - Arizona Star News

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Grant Gunnell, Sam Houston
News Source: Arizona Star News
Share/Comment: Here

09/16/20 - Grant Gunnell, rSr/2025, Sam Houston, 6-5, 220 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Arizona sophomore quarterback Grant Gunnell, on the behalf of UA football players, sent a letter to California governor Gavin Newsom to support USC's appeal - issued on Tuesday - for the state to loosen health guidelines in order for the Pac-12 to play football in the fall. Gunnell, who was also a part of the Pac-12 players' movement, "We Want To Play," in August, said, "Not only are you the governor of the state in which four of our Pac-12 universities reside, but you are also the governor to more than 30 football student-athletes at the University of Arizona who hail from California and whose families remain your constituents."

Citing California's four MLB and three NFL teams currently having seasons in the state, the letter said, "It's difficult for us to understand why we cannot find a path forward even the Pac-12 has consistently made the well-being of student-athletes its top priority." After the Pac-12 announced its partnership with Quidel to provide efficient daily testing kits, which can yield results in 15 minutes, commissioner Larry Scott said he was hopeful for a change of course to play football before the calendar year. However, health guidelines in California and Oregon suggest participating in football activities is unsafe. - Arizona Star News

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Grant Gunnell, Sam Houston
News Source: Arizona Star News
Share/Comment: Here

09/15/20 - Tim Hart, rSr/2022, Sam Houston, 6-0, 222 (DS#89 ILB) + More +

Memphis senior linebacker Tim Hart announced Monday that he'll be the third Tigers player to opt out of this season. He's also the second since the team paused football activities because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the program. Hart, a Memphis native, played in the Tigers' season opening win over Arkansas State. He's played in 42 games and started 13, with 10 coming as a freshman in 2017. "Anybody that know me knows that my love and dedication to Memphis football runs far deeper than just on the field. It has been a dream of mine to play for my hometown and for the past 5 years I have been honored to represent this great city and school," Hart said in a statement on Twitter. "With that being said, after much thought I have made the difficult decision to opt out of this season." Hart, whose father, Tim Sr., also played at Memphis, added that he plans to return to football next season. The NCAA granted all fall sports athletes an extra year of eligibility in August, so Hart, who was in his fifth year, will be eligible for a sixth season. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

(DS#89 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Tim Hart, Sam Houston
News Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
Share/Comment: Here

09/15/20 - BJ Foster, rSr/2023, Sam Houston, 6-1, 203 (DS#34 SS) + More +

Texas safety B.J. Foster "obviously let his frustration get the best of him" by leaving the team Saturday night but will remain with the Longhorns, coach Tom Herman said Monday. Foster was apparently upset over a lack of playing time during UT's 59-3 blowout over UTEP. He left the stadium sometime during the second half, and it was thought he was going to quit the team. But Foster returned to the football offices on Sunday and spoke with coaches. Herman said that Foster will "serve his penance" internally and then the whole issue will be "water under the bridge." "It's OK to be frustrated," Herman said. "But we've got to be able to control our actions, and he realizes that." Foster, a junior from Angleton, was expected to be a key contributor all season long. He was listed second on the depth chart for the season opener behind senior Chris Brown. - Austin American Statesman

(DS#34 SS) rSr/2023

SS BJ Foster, Sam Houston
News Source: Austin American Statesman
Share/Comment: Here

07/28/20 - Colby Thomas, rSr/2022, Sam Houston, 6-1, 293 (DS#60 OG) + More +

2020 PHIL STEELE/DRAFTSCOUT PRESEASON ALL-FCS THIRD TEAM: OL Colby Thomas, Sam Houston St, Sr.,...First Team All-Southland Conference in 2019...All-Texas Small College Offense selection by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine...was the only underclassman on an offensive line that started the same five linemen for the first 10 games of the season...played in all 12 games, starting at both center and guard. - Sam Houston State Football

(DS#60 OG) rSr/2022

OG Colby Thomas, Sam Houston
News Source: Sam Houston State Football
Share/Comment: Here

07/28/20 - Matt McRobert, rSr/2022, Sam Houston, 6-1, 200 (DS#25 P) + More +

2020 PHIL STEELE/DRAFTSCOUT PRESEASON ALL-FCS THIRD TEAM: P Matt McRobert, Sam Houston St, Sr.,...AP FCS Second Team All-America in 2019...STATS FCS Second Team All-America...First Team All-Southland Conference...averaged an SLC-best 44.3 yards per punt...had a long punt of 74 yards vs HBU...that punt tied his own school record and ranked as the eighth longest punt in FCS in 2019...had 20 punts of 50+ yards and did not have a punt blocked. - Sam Houston State Football

(DS#25 P) rSr/2022

P Matt McRobert, Sam Houston
News Source: Sam Houston State Football
Share/Comment: Here

07/28/20 - Trace Mascorro, rSr/2022, Sam Houston, 6-1, 270 (DS#999 DE) + More +

2020 PHIL STEELE/DRAFTSCOUT PRESEASON ALL-FCS FOURTH TEAM: DL Trace Mascorro, Sam Houston St, Sr.,...Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2019...First Team All-Southland Conference...started all 12 games on the Bearkat defensive line...finished with 41 tackles an ranked seventh in the SLC with 15.5 TFLs...also totaled 5.0 sacks and had a pair of forced fumbles. - Sam Houston State Football

(DS#999 DE) rSr/2022

DE Trace Mascorro, Sam Houston
News Source: Sam Houston State Football
Share/Comment: Here

06/11/20 - BJ Foster, rSr/2023, Sam Houston, 6-1, 203 (DS#34 SS) + More +

Texas coach Tom Herman said junior B.J. Foster recently fractured his hand after punching a car's bumper. Foster, a 14-time starter in UT's secondary, also had shoulder surgery earlier this offseason. Herman believes DL Peter Mpagi and RB Derrian Brown's serious conditions will sideline them for 2020. After getting into "a fight with a car bumper," Texas junior defensive back B.J. Foster has been added to the Longhorns' injury report.

Texas coach Tom Herman told reporters on Thursday that Foster fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in my hand. Herman explained that Foster recently discovered that his car's bumper had been hit by someone who did not leave a note. Out of frustration, Foster hit the bumper of his vehicle. "We had a long conversation on that," Herman said. "Every time in my 45 years on the planet when a player gets in a fight with an inanimate object, usually the inanimate object wins." - Austin American Statesman

(DS#34 SS) rSr/2023

SS BJ Foster, Sam Houston
News Source: Austin American Statesman
Share/Comment: Here

12/25/19 - Isaac Schley, rSr/2022, Sam Houston, 6-5, 250 (DS#68 TE) + More +

2019 ALL-PATRIOT LEAGUE SECOND TEAM (COACHES): FB/HB: Isaac Schley, Georgetown, Sr.,...Schley earns his first career Patriot League postseason award after being named to the preseason team prior to this year...He tied for fourth on the team with nine receptions for 80 yards, with most of his catches coming on third down conversions...Schley was a big part of the running game led the Patriot League in rushing offense (147.4 ypg) and improved by 588 yards and 53.5 ypg. - Georgetown Football

(DS#68 TE) rSr/2022

TE Isaac Schley, Sam Houston
News Source: Georgetown Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/24/19 - Keegan Shoemaker, rSr/2024, Sam Houston, 6-2, 201 (DS#63 QB) + More +

2019 ALL-PATRIOT LEAGUE SECOND TEAM (COACHES): QB: Keegan Shoemaker, Lafayette, Fr.,...Shoemaker's impact on the Lafayette program was instantaneous, seeing action in the first game of the season and starting the final 11 games. Shoemaker set a freshman single-season record for passing yards, accumulating 2,540, a mark that also ranks him fourth in a season for all class years. He led the Patriot League in total offense (241.1 ypg), while finishing second in passing yards (212.1 ypg) and touchdown passes (14) with a pass efficiency rating of 124.4.

Shoemaker was honored as the Patriot League Rookie of the Week on four occasions as well as the conference Offensive Player of the Week three times. His breakout game came in week three against Sacred Heart (9/14) when he completed 24-of-35 for 391 yards and two touchdowns while also running 23 times for 124 yards and two more touchdowns, an effort that saw him named the STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Week. Shoemaker ended the season, having completed 60 percent of his passes and was the team's second-leading rusher. - Lafayette Football

(DS#63 QB) rSr/2024

QB Keegan Shoemaker, Sam Houston
News Source: Lafayette Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/21/19 - Jaylon Jimmerson, rSr/2025, Sam Houston, 5-10, 200 (DS#80 SS) + More +

2019 ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM (COACHES): DB Jaylon Jimmerson, UIW, Fr., Pittsburg, Texas,...Jimmerson played a major role on the UIW defense. The highlight of the freshman's season came in the form of a conference-high three interceptions, which he returned for 45 yards. These interceptions contributed to UIW's 17 picks, which led the nation going in to the final regular season game. In addition, Jimmerson ranked third on the team with 43 tackles (23 unassisted, 20 assisted). The Pittsburg, Texas, product had 3.0 tackles for loss, including 1.0 sacks for one yard, and one pass breakup. - Incarnate Word Football

(DS#80 SS) rSr/2025

SS Jaylon Jimmerson, Sam Houston
News Source: Incarnate Word Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/01/19 - Royce See, Sr/2020, Sam Houston, 5-11, 217 (DS#138 OLB) + More +

2019 ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): LB Royce See, Sam Houston State, Sr., Shepherd, Texas,...See played a big role for the Bearkat defense and was one of seven members of that side of the ball to earn all-league honors. He was twice named the league's defensive player of the week during the season, and was even named the STATS FCS national defensive player of the week for his efforts against Stephen F. Austin when he had a pair of interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered another fumble. He finished with 62 tackles on the season, but showed to be a true playmaker on that side of the ball as well. See racked up a dozen tackles for loss from his linebacker spot, including four sacks, picked off a pair of passes as well as forcing and recovering three fumbles each. - Sam Houston State Football

(DS#138 OLB) Sr/2020

OLB Royce See, Sam Houston
News Source: Sam Houston State Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/01/19 - Trace Mascorro, rSr/2022, Sam Houston, 6-1, 270 (DS#999 DE) + More +

2019 ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): DL Trace Mascorro, Sam Houston State, Jr., Refugio, Texas,...For Mascorro, in his first season as a Bearkat after transferring from UTEP, he is the first Bearkat to grab the honor as the league's top newcomer since Chris Chaloupka in 1999. He is also the first defensive player to get the honor from any school since UIW's Myke Tavarres in 2015. He started all 12 games for the Kats on the defensive line, racking up 15.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and forcing a pair of fumbles for a Bearkat defense that led all of the FCS in tackles for loss. - Sam Houston State Football

(DS#999 DE) rSr/2022

DE Trace Mascorro, Sam Houston
News Source: Sam Houston State Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/01/19 - Matt McRobert, rSr/2022, Sam Houston, 6-1, 200 (DS#25 P) + More +

2019 ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): P Matt McRobert, Sam Houston State, R-Jr., Berowra, Australia,...The Kats also snagged first team punter honors with Australia native Matt McRobert taking that spot. He finished the regular season with an average of 44.3 yards per punt, a mark that ranked tops in the SLC and sixth in all of the FCS, while also ranking third in the FCS in net punting. He had 20 punts on the year that traveled over 50 yards, including a 74-yarder against HBU that tied his own school record set last year. He punted 85 times for the year, but only had three touchbacks, pinning the opposition inside the red zone 29 times. - Sam Houston State Football

(DS#25 P) rSr/2022

P Matt McRobert, Sam Houston
News Source: Sam Houston State Football
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Sam Houston Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2024 CFB/2025-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Sam Houston Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development