Future Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer standing out at Under Armour All-America
Penn State quarterback signee Ethan Grunkemeyer is one of two future Nittany Lions in the Orlando area this week participating in the Under Armour All-American Game. The four-star from Ohio has impressed in practice early this week ahead of the game, which will be played on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
So far Grunkemeyer has more than carried his weight among the quarterbacks. Teamed with five-star DJ Lagway and South Carolina signee Dante Reno, his Team Fire has been the better side at the position so far. On3 ranked Grunkemeyer as the No. 2 quarterback overall on day two of practices behind Lagway.
“It’s been awesome competing against the best guys,” Grunkemeyer said on Sunday after practice. “I’m building some really good relationships with all the players. The quarterback room is really tight, we hang out outside of the practices and everything. So it’s been a really cool experience.
“Then also just getting used to the speed of the game. Obviously, it’s way different. It’s the closest you’re gonna get to a college football game without being in college. So that’s been awesome. I’m just really trying to get used to it right now.”
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Grunkemeyer threw several top-level balls on Sunday (video above) to a talented group of receivers led by five-star Auburn commit Cam Coleman, On3’s top overall performer on Sunday, and Tennessee-bound Mike Matthews. The leap from the regular high school level is something that Grunkemeyer has embraced.
“It’s definitely a huge jump,” he said. “The training I have to do outside of this is so you don’t have to think about your training when you’re in the game. When you’ve got a 6-5, 280-pound D-lineman coming at you, you don’t want to think about getting your front foot down faster, keeping your body stable. You want that to be automatic when you’re going to throw so you’re consistent when the time comes. Against pressure, you need to get the ball out quick.”
Grunkemeyer and his teammates will suit up for practice again on Monday and play in the game on Wednesday at 4:00. The contest will be carried live on ESPN.
