Interview: 2024 Alabama QB Griffin Hanson Impresses with Varsity Starting Experience
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Any first-year starting quarterback at any level is going to go through some struggles, but some of that can be mitigated with years of experience and playing against those within a peer group. What Griffin Hanson did on the field for Mars Hill Bible High School during the 2019 season was off the charts amazing. Even a sophomore guiding an offense against Alabama varsity competition would have troubles, but Hanson, a Class of 2024 standout, made a smooth transition and is benefiting from it this offseason.
Enough to brag on Hanson for earning a starting job as a quarterback for the Panthers three games into the 2019 season, but even more impressive, he was already on the field showcasing his speed with 68 receiving yards and a score and had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. A switch during the season put the 5-9, 155-pound, rising talent into the pocket for the Florence area squad yielding 1,666 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 135 yards on the ground in a 14-1 run to the state championship game.
After an impressive breakthrough season as an eighth grader, all eyes will be on Hanson going forward seeing how his game evolves with experience over time. For a better understanding of how Hanson acclimated to playing varsity ball under center during a state runner-up campaign, we sat down for an exclusive one-on-one interview.
Interview
Griffin, what you did last season with the Panthers was extremely impressive. When did you find out you were getting the starting varsity job at QB?
“By the third game of the season our coach made the switch. Our starting quarterback was a receiver last season, they switched him back to receiver and I got the job.”
The job is yours; how did you prepare each week for any given game?
“At first I was nervous playing against competition like this. For junior high competition, you do not have to prepare like you do for varsity competition. My teammates trusted me and I trusted myself, and I knew I could make the throws and take the hits.”
My guess is that regardless of Bible being in your team’s name, the opposition was not following the Golden Rule in the land of trash talking. How were defenders trying to rattle you on the field with the chatter between plays?
(Laughs) “That was a big thing. During my first game they were trying to get in my head. I could not let it get to me; I stayed calm, got the passes out, read the defense, and made big plays.”
What offensive set were you executing in 2019?
“A Wing-T.”
Which routes were part of the scheme?
“A lot of posts, wheel patterns, outs, flats, drags, corner-posts – a lot of that stuff.”
When you were dropping back, what were some of the coverages you were seeing?
“Mostly Cover 3 and Cover 1 were the most common.”
How did your overall game improve in 2019?
“It improved a lot. My arm strength, reading defenses – that was the toughest thing, my running – knowing that I can when I need to, taking hits, and being smart with the ball – no dumb turnovers.”
As the season went on, when did you start to click within the offense and with your teammates?
“I’d say by the Brooks game (won 46-27). Maybe by Week 5, everything was clicking. I was getting the hang of it, making the throws, and trusting my receivers and offensive linemen.”
What have you been working on this offseason with your game from a technical approach?
“This offseason I have been mainly trying to get my weight up, put on muscle, and get faster. From a QB perspective, I have been working on being smarter with the ball, making more plays, and not being one-dimensional; I can run if I need to. I’ve been working on my footwork, release, working two times a week with a QB coach, my timing, and reading defenses.”
How have you expanded your understanding of the game this spring?
“By watching a lot of the film of the teams we will play, I have been studying coverages. We are putting in a new offense – I have been looking over those plays, the positions and where everyone lines up.”
What is the new style of offense?
“More of a Spread. We will run a lot of the Spread this year to get everyone involved with our offense. We want to get the ball out to all our athletes.”
What goals have you set for your ninth-grade season?
“The main one is to be more of a leader and to be more vocal on the field. I would like to make All-State; that would be nice.”
If the college camp circuit happens, are there any you may go compete at this summer?
“Alabama again, I went there a couple of years ago, UNA (North Alabama), and I went to an Ole Miss camp last year, I will try to go there again.”
Griffin, congratulations on the early success with your play on the field. Keep up all the hard work this summer.
“Thank you.”
Photo credits: Betty Dale Walker and Chris White; Griffin Hanson in action (2019)