Interview: 2022 California QB Gunnar Hensley Preparing for Breakout Season with Mission Hills
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Class of 2022 California quarterback Gunnar Hensley got that rare opportunity for high school quarterbacks during the 2019 season, he was executing a pro-style offense. The opportunity to roll from under center with a greater emphasis on drops, play fakes, and reading defenses has pushed his game ahead of those in his peer group. Executing plays for Carlsbad High School’s junior varsity squad, the 6-2, 170-pound, field general threw for an estimated 2,500 yards with 28 touchdowns a year ago. Once the 2020 season kicks off, Hensley will once again be guiding his teammates through a pro-style set, but will be doing it with Mission Hills High School.
Covering his play in the pocket as a sophomore and his work this offseason preparing for his junior campaign, Hensley sat down for an RNG one-on-one.
Interview
Gunnar, you showed great understanding of defenses and your playbook last season throwing across the middle. Going into the 2019 season, and throughout, how did you build up your mental understanding of the game to better exploit defenses?
“I did a lot of film study with my coaches, worked with my throwing coaches, and I learned a lot about defenses through them and how to exploit them.”
What offensive set were you guys running last season?
“Last season we ran a pro-style mostly, but we did a lot of different formations.”
Which routes off the tree were you connecting on in 2019?
“Some of our favorites were bang-posts, we liked the fade, and skinny posts over the top.”
How did your overall game improve?
“I felt like my timing got better, throwing my receivers in and out of their breaks, and I got bigger, stronger, and faster throughout the season.”
This offseason you transferred, which school will you attend in 2020?
“Mission Hills.”
What style of offense will you be executing in 2020?
“At Mission Hills, we also run a pro-style offense with a lot of different formations.”
Any new wrinkles with the offense in 2020?
“We’ll see. I think we will have some new plays for our rivals, mix them up a few times each game.”
To prepare for the 2020 season, what have you been working on this spring?
“I’ve been fine-tuning my mechanics with my throwing coach, trying to get faster – running at the park with my speed coach, and throwing with my teammates trying to build that chemistry.”
Going into the classroom, what is your cumulative GPA?
“I have a 4.4 in the first semester, and a 4.0 when I transferred.”
What is your favorite subject in school?
“Math.”
What goals have you set for the rest of the offseason?
“No specific goals, but I want to add more power on my ball and I want to keep getting bigger; I want to get to 175 or 180. Learning the playbook before heading into camp is a main goal.”
Gunnar, thanks for your time today and good luck the rest of the offseason building chemistry with your new teammates.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Hensley family; Gunnar Hensley spring 2020 throwing session