UIndy QB Gavin Sukup on constructing on workforce success in 12 months 3 as starter
UIndy QB Gavin Sukup on constructing on workforce success in 12 months 3 as starter
Gavin Sukup wasn’t recruited out of Seward, Nebraska. A coach put in a favor that led him to turn into a nationwide champion, All-American and, lastly, a winner at UIndy.He is spent the final two seasons at UIndy, which is 19-4 with Sukup at quarterback. The Greyhounds hope higher postseason success is on the horizon.
INDIANAPOLIS — Faculty soccer recruiters commonly examine for linemen from the Cornhusker State, however ability place gamers, particularly ones outdoors of Nebraska’s largest cities can simply go neglected.
Regardless of a adorned Seward (Nebraska) Excessive Faculty profession through which he amassed over 5,000 complete yards and earned All-State honors in soccer and baseball, Gavin Sukup was able to transition into the post-playing part of his life after highschool.
“Often you understand the place you are going (to varsity) earlier than your senior 12 months,” Sukup, UIndy’s quarterback, stated. “Earlier than then, I used to be simply going to get a job. No faculty. I in all probability wasn’t going to go. I used to be simply going to get a job in development.”
It may be laborious for a child from rural Nebraska to dream of life outdoors of his small city of seven,600 individuals and highschool of about 600. Enjoying within the NJCAA nationwide championship, changing into a JUCO All-American and a two-time Nice Lakes Valley Convention participant of the 12 months at UIndy possible felt worlds away.
Gavin Sukup was a ‘grasp’ of Seward Excessive Faculty soccer’s offense. Faculty of DuPage soccer gained nationwide championship with Gavin Sukup
Sukup was at all times the perfect athlete on the sector. His offense at Seward ran by means of him, and he carried a heavy offensive load for his workforce. Deficiencies alongside the offensive line compelled him to turn into a artistic scrambler. His potential to increase performs annoyed defenses, but it surely could possibly be straightforward to query whether or not he may play throughout the construction of an offense.
“You are a quarterback operating this offense, you could not have a man who can separate from 1-vs-1 protection. Chances are you’ll not have what it’s worthwhile to be an elite offense so that you make due with what you will have,” Seward coach Jamie Opfer stated. “He is been a grasp at that. He gained us so many video games simply primarily based upon his thoughts set, perspective and persistence. Principally refusing to lose.
“It was both create one thing out of nothing or we’re shedding floor. His potential to grasp when it is third-and-9, and so they’re bringing stress — what are you going to do? You have to be the person beater. You have to be the man who wins and he was in a position to try this for us.”
From the beginning of his highschool profession, Sukup carried himself like an skilled upperclassman. His workman-like nature within the weight room. The best way he stayed after apply to place in further work. His mixture of expertise and laborious work made him a particular participant, he simply wanted a chance to showcase his ability on the subsequent degree.
Bigger Division I colleges confirmed little interest in Sukup, however NAIA colleges in Nebraska had been properly conscious of his expertise. Matt Frazen, coach at Hastings Faculty knew Sukup could possibly be a particular participant. He knew Sukup had the expertise to succeed on a much bigger stage, so he reached out to a contact at Faculty of DuPage, a junior faculty powerhouse in suburban Chicago.
Enjoying on probably the most gifted workforce of his profession, Sukup blossomed. He led the Chaparrals to the 2022 NJCAA nationwide championship, throwing 23 touchdowns to only one interception, and including 406 yards on the bottom.
Now, faculty coaches across the nation knew what Sukup may do.
“It was so much totally different having guys that may run, and guys that may go get the ball, large guys,” Sukup stated. “The scale was simply sort of stunning, and the pace of the sport was stunning. I performed towards quite a lot of undersized youngsters in highschool then going to the place we had a few D-I receivers. We had a few D-I offensive linemen. It was an entire totally different ball recreation.
“Simply the pace of the sport. I used to be actually shook the primary couple of days, first couple weeks of apply in faculty.”
Greyhounds go all in on Sukup
After a powerful freshman season at Faculty of DuPage, UIndy gained the companies of Sukup. The Greyhounds have at all times had a dominant operating recreation underneath longtime coach Chris Keevers, however Sukup’s dual-threat potential provides one other ingredient to the offense.
In two seasons, Sukup has handed for five,337 yards, 46 touchdowns to simply 12 interceptions whereas finishing 65% of his throws. He is added 638 yards dashing and 12 scores.
“He can spin it. That is the primary field you examine,” Keevers stated. “He is dynamic. He is a danger taker and he performs unfastened and runs round and makes performs. He extends performs and it is enjoyable to look at. You watch his spotlight tape and you are like, ‘I would like this man on our soccer workforce.’
“We do not actually recruit junior faculty guys fairly often. We solely have two on the roster. So, it was a change for us, however we discovered him late and our quarterback coach, offensive coordinator, Michael Engle stated, ‘We bought to take this man’ I used to be like, ‘I am in.'”
UIndy is 19-4 in two seasons with Sukup as its starter, however none of these wins have come within the postseason. The Greyhounds fell to Pittsburg State 35-14 in 2023 and misplaced to Grand Valley State 24-7 final season, each video games had been within the first spherical of the Division II playoffs.
UIndy enters the 2025 season ranked twentieth nationally and the preseason favorites to win the Nice Lakes Valley Convention. Keevers believes this workforce has the items to make a postseason run, the Hounds simply must remove the essential mistake and depend on Sukup’s potential to make large performs in key moments.
“After we misplaced to Grand Valley, two performs right here and two much less psychological errors and we win that recreation,” Sukup stated. “That is what I have been engaged on every single day myself, no psychological errors in the present day. It is your job to execute and let the additional stuff come.
“When it is time to lengthen the play, lengthen the play. When it isn’t, don’t fret about it. Simply take what the protection provides you. If you happen to gotta throw the ball away, throw it away.”
