Interview: 2023 North Carolina QB Lucas Hunter is One to Watch
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Fans sometimes like to relate stats to greatness in sports, but the two do not always convene at a logical point. Take Class of 2023 quarterback Lucas Hunter. The 6-2, 190-pound, rising gunslinger showed his potential and arm off working against freshmen and JV competition during the 2019 season, but did so in Pinecrest High School’s veer offense. Hunter threw for 724 yards with five touchdowns without a pick in limited opportunities and rushed 33 times for 160 yards with five more scores going up on the board. With the level up in grade classification, Hunter is also taking that next step competing for the right to lead the Patriots onto the field in 2020 against 4A North Carolina competition, and he will do so with an offer already under his belt.
In an RNG first-look, Hunter took time from his summer workouts to update us on his offseason focus with an overview on his growing recruiting prospects.
Interview
Lucas, how did the 2019 season play out for you on the field?
I think it was a decent season for me. At Pinecrest, we do not throw a lot. We run a split-back veer offense. With our offense, it was a good season for me. We throw about 15 percent of the time.
Within the scheme, what were some of the routes you were connecting on in 2019?
If we passed, I would roll out hitting a corner, out, flat, or slant. Every now and again we ran a fade or a go-route.
When the 2020 season kicks off, what set will you be executing?
I am hoping we throw more, but we are still running the veer.
How have you prepared for the 2020 season with your mechanics throughout the offseason?
This offseason I have been throwing with Kevin Olson once a week, throwing at local park with my teammates once a week, and working out every day.
What have you been doing to expand your understanding of the game this spring and summer?
I have been doing stuff with Kevin Olson going over routes, routes verses coverages, and pre-snap reads so you know the coverage and so you will know which routes will be open.
Gelling with your receiver corps is always of utmost importance for a quarterback. How have you worked to develop chemistry with the Patriots’ receivers this summer?
By hanging out with a lot of them, and not just football related activities but going to do stuff at each other’s houses. We throw once or twice a week depending on the schedule. They also go to Charlotte with me to throw with Kevin Olson.
From your Twitter page, I know you just attended a camp. How did the camp go and what was it like being back out there competing against other top talents again?
It felt good, especially knowing most camps are not going on now because of the virus. I did well; I only had three incompletions. There were 40 or 50 quarterbacks there; I was among the top five or seven, and I was the youngest there. I turn 15 in two weeks.
Nice. Let’s cover some ground on recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Furman, Liberty, Elon – a bunch of D-II and III schools. UNC was showing interest, but the guy who was in contact with me is no longer there. TCU hit me up the other day saying they will keep an eye on me. Tennessee and UNC-Charlotte are following me on Twitter.
Which school has offered already?
Faulkner in Alabama.
Going back to last season, did you get to take any college visits?
Yes, I went to Liberty and Furman twice, Elon, and Faulkner.
Overall, what was it like taking the visits getting a feel for the college environment?
It was fun and interesting to see what they do on game days. They tell you about everything, but to get to see the facilities, see how great and how nice the facilities are and what it takes to be a college athlete was great
Once the campuses open back up, are you planning any visits?
There are a lot of schools I would like to visits, Ohio State, UNC, TCU, Oklahoma, LSU, schools like that. I am not 100 percent sure if I will start visiting these schools this upcoming season or not.
Lucas, it was great getting time in with you today. Wishing you and the team continued success this summer preparing for the 2020 season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Hunter family; Lucas Hunter at Liberty and school