Higgins discusses naming Gunnar Gundy as ESU's starting quarterback

EMPORIA (KSNT) - Emporia State football's starting quarterback spot for 2024 no longer involves a question mark.

After weeks of competition, Hornet head coach Garin Higgins named junior transfer Gunnar Gundy as ESU's starter under center. Four players were in the running for the job this summer, all trying to replace all-time great Braden Gleason. He finished his sixth and final season with ESU in 2023, but is now the team's quarterbacks coach.

One similarity between Gleason and Gundy already? They're both left-handed.

"I believe that," Higgins said of Gleason's ability to assist another left-handed quarterback. "I used to not really recruit left-handed quarterbacks, but that's changed. I'm a big footwork guy and you have to things opposite ... but now having Coach Gleason, it's easy, he can just do it."

He added that Gleason's role is a game changer because of his experience working with the Hornets' offense, freeing Higgins up to give extra attention to other position groups.

Higgins had mentioned previously in camp that he might want to utilize two quarterbacks, but said Tuesday he's not going to do that. He wants Gundy to feel comfortable, and plans to stick with him through the ups and downs as the season gets going.

"There's going to be some growing pains," Higgins said. "10 [Gleason]'s not back there, he's not. And we told Gunnar, we don't expect him to be 10, be you. And it's our job as coaches to develop a game plan that's going to fit him and the things that he's comfortable with doing. Anytime somebody's comfortable they're going to have a lot of confidence."

Emporia State opens its 2024 campaign with a week zero Turnpike Tussle rivalry game at home at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29 against Washburn.