Dan Enos visited one of the top sophomore prospects in the nation Wednesday that just so happens to have strong ties to Arkansas.
The Arkansas offensive coordinator traveled to St. Pius X High School in Houston to see quarterback Grant Gunnell.
Gunnell, 6-6, 200 pounds, has scholarship offers from Florida State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Houston, Northwestern, Texas State and Central Arkansas. Gunnell's grandfather Jim Price played linebacker for the Hogs' 1964 national championship team.
Gunnell appreciated Enos watching him workout.
"It's really special to throw for him," Gunnell said. "I wasn't nervous or anything. I just went out there and threw. It meant a lot for him to come down and watch me being I'm only a sophomore."
Gunnell completed 271 of 387 passes for 4,973 yards and 65 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while helping the Panthers to a 11-1 record. He also rushed 54 times for 389 yards and 5 touchdowns
As a freshman, he completed 98 of 149 passes for 1,447 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 309 yards and 7 touchdowns on 50 carries.
Price was thrilled to hear about Enos' visit.
"He kept asking me how it went," Gunnell said. "He thought it was pretty cool that he came and watched me."
Gunnell said his grandfather, a businessman in The Woodlands, Texas, has told him several stories about his time in Fayetteville.
"He talks about the national championship game and how special it was and how the bond is with all of his teammates to this day," Gunnell said.
Gunnell's confidence helped ease any nervousness throwing in front of Enos.
"I know what I can do and I really can't be nervous because if I get nervous I'm not going to perform at my best," Gunnell said. "I just try and block everything out and try and do what I know I can do."
Gunnell's first offers came from UCA, Texas State and Oklahoma State while he was a freshman.
"It's really humbling," he said. "It's a blessing, but I know I have a lot to do to get better."
His mother, Julie, graduated from Arkansas in 1990 and his father, Chris, earned his masters degree from Arkansas in 1994. An older brother, Nelson, is a defensive assistant at UCA. He also has grandparents living in Arkansas along with an uncle.
Gunnell would eagerly embrace an offer from Arkansas.
"It would be huge because my whole family went there," Gunnell said. "It would mean a lot to basically go to my alma mater."
Gunnell visited Fayetteville for Arkansas' spring game in April.
"It was fun to go up and see them play," Gunnell said. "I liked what they were doing in the spring game. The facilities were really nice."
He's a fan of Enos' offensive philosophy.
"He does a really good job mixing and running the ball and throwing the ball," Gunnell said. "He also does a lot of creative plays. He works to the quarterback's ability."
Sports on 12/04/2016