There are many different styles of quarterbacks, and Allan Hancock College’s sophomore starter just happens to be a Gunnar.
Redshirted last season, Gunnar Jesperson has piloted the Bulldogs to a 5-1 start in 2009, throwing for 1,001 yards and eight touchdowns through the season’s sixth game.
“Being a leader of this team is something special,” Jesperson said. “I’m just having fun with it right now. We’ve got a good group of kids—everyone’s got good chemistry together. We’re all good friends. It’s hard to get a group of kids from all over the nation together and work as one unit, but I think we’re doing a good job.”
Listed at just 5-foot-10, Jesperson is as dangerous on the ground as he is through the air. He showed off his running ability during a 42-6 drubbing of Santa Barbara City College in the season opening, where he broke multiple tackles on his way to a 44-yard touchdown scamper.
“I have to be mobile due to my size,” Jesperson said. “I’m an undersized quarterback. I’m probably the smallest one in the conference, so being able to move on my feet is a big plus. If I didn’t have that, I probably wouldn’t be on the field.”
Hancock head coach Kris Dutra said he has great respect for Jesperson’s ability to excel as a quarterback despite his height.
“He’s a guy that everyone told him he couldn’t do it because he was too small, and here he is,” Dutra said. “He’s got all of those intangibles that you look for in a quarterback: He’s a leader, he’s very competitive, and he’s got the tools to make it happen.”
With Jesperson under center, Dutra said the Bulldogs have a legitimate shot at the conference title.
“He isn’t cutting corners,” Dutra said. “He works hard, and he understands what he’s dealing with. He understands the offense we run, and he’s a very good athlete. That’s something you can’t teach.”
A product of Atascadero High School, Jesperson credited the Bulldogs’ defense for making him feel comfortable and steering the team into a possible playoff spot.
“The sky’s the limit,” Jesperson said. “We’ve just got to keep going. We’ve got more fight in this team than any team we’re going to play against, so that’s going to hold true through the season.”
This article appears in Oct 15-22, 2009.