Shippensburg University Athletics

2024 (R-Freshman): Appeared in four games for the Raiders at quarterback…made his collegiate debut Sept. 21 against Slippery Rock, completing 3-of-3 pass attempts during a late game cameo…completed 10-of-19 pass attempts as a reserve against East Stroudsburg (Nov. 2)…started the final two games of the season…completed a season-high 11 passes and totaled a season-best 128 passing yards in his first career start (Nov. 9 at Lock Haven)…threw his first career touchdown pass – a 35-yard strike – Nov. 16 at IUP.
 
2023 (Freshman): Redshirt season.
 
Ocean City High School: Totaled four varsity letters for the Red Raiders under head coach Kevin Smith…2022 Maxwell Football Club New Jersey Mini Max Award recipient…2022 Ocean City High School Athlete of the Year…First Team QB NJ All-Independence Division WJFL…Elite 11 National Invite…National Football Federation Player of the Week…Jersey Sports Zone Player of the Week…Press of Atlantic City MVP of the Week…ESPN 97.3 South Jersey Athlete of the Week…All-Northeast Showcase QB…threw for over 3,000 yards in leading team to NJ State Group 4 South Jersey Championship game…Distinguished Honor Roll student…3.8 GPA…also lettered in baseball and basketball…won a Group 3 New Jersey State Baseball Championship in 2021.
 
About Gunnels: Full name is John Riley Gunnels…is the son of John and Bobbi Gunnels…majoring in exploratory studies…grandfather Riley Gunnels played football at the University of Georgia and eight years in the NFL for the Eagles and Steelers and was a member of the Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship team…father played football at Towson University and uncle played football at the University of Maryland…has two sisters, Abby and Ella…sister was an New Jersey All-State softball player.