Interview: 2023 South Carolina QB Lucas Hunter Slinging It in New York This Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After a sophomore season slinging the ball around at South Carolina powerhouse Dillon High School, Lucas Hunter will be getting after New York defenses this fall. A family move will have the 6-2, 210-pound, rising gunslinger running a Spread set at Cornwall Central High School. The Dragons were 7-1 during the 2020 season under the guidance of senior QB Jack Diamond allowing Hunter to pick up the mantel keeping the winning ways going for Cornwall Central. When the lights turn on this fall for the Dragons, Hunter will be tossing the pigskin around with collegiate eyes watching.
Taking another visit to the RNG Lab, Hunter gives us an update on his transfer, workouts, and potential summer football camp schedule.
*Click link for Nov. 2020 RNG interview with Lucas Hunter
Interview
Lucas, you just made the move from South Carolina to New York, how are you settling in?
I’m doing well. I have school every day and then workouts; that is my day. I try to throw at least once a week.
Have you had a chance to connect with your new coaches and teammates?
Yes, sir. I met up with the coaches, talked to them, and met up with the team. I have hung out with my teammates; they have been great. I went to their section championship game.
Are they playing their season right now?
They were two weeks ago, that was their last game of the season.
What was it like watching them play with the thought that you’ll be with them doing the same thing this fall?
It was good. They won 42-0 and blew them out. They played really well. Their defense played well and their offense was moving the chains and scoring fast.
What style of offense will you guys be running this fall?
The Spread.
How are you working with your receivers now to have that connection this fall that will help win games?
I am working on timing. Routes are about timing. I am trying to get their speed down and learning the concepts and the plays in their offense.
To prepare for the new opportunity, how are you tackling the playbook to get ready?
I’ve been writing on the white board, going over situational plays, and studying that. At the end of June, we have a team camp. That will be good for me to run the plays and start doing it.
Looking at your fundamentals, what are you working on this spring?
Everything. I’ve been doing a lot of pocket presence drills, feeling the pressure without looking. I have also been working on my accuracy and timing.
You’ve gained some weight since last season, how much have you gained?
I have gained 15 pounds.
What are you doing to make it happen?
I have been working out. At Dillon, I lost weight. We did not workout as much there. When I got here, I have been lifting every day like I used to. During quarantine, I worked out, drank protein shakes, and ate the right foods.
So far this offseason, have you been to any camps or do you have any camps coming up you may attend?
I went to a QB Universe Camp in Atlanta two or three weeks ago. I am planning on going to some college camps this summer, but I am not sure which ones yet.
How did the QB Universe Camp go for you?
It went well. We had four sessions, one on Friday, two on Saturday, and one on Sunday. I did well overall. I did okay in the morning sessions, but did really well in the later sessions.
At that camp, what were some of the drills they had you guys doing?
Each session had different type of drills. The first one was the perfect pocket, the second session were drills more with the rush coming, and one was off-platform throws. Each session had a theme for different situations.
Let’s close talking about recruiting. Which programs are showing interest ahead of the summer camps?
Florida, Texas, Liberty, Kansas State, TCU, and Arizona State are showing interest.
Once visits begin again in June, are there any visits you may take or would like to take?
Yes, I’d like to go to Florida, but that is kind of far from New York. I may go to Liberty again; I went there my freshman year. TCU is another one, but that is also really far. Everything also depends on the team schedule.
Lucas, thanks for updating us on your move and summer camp schedule. Wishing you the best of luck preparing for the fall season with Cornwall Central.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Hunter family; Lucas Hunter