Hunnicutt gets one more chance to display his talents

Bradley Hunnicutt remembers the first time he met Justin Rogers, who arrived at Jones County three years ago to become the head coach of the Greyhounds.

Rogers went over to meet the ninth-grade class, and unlike previous head coach Dwight Jones, who ran the wing-T, Rogers talked about what he would be doing on the offensive side of the football.

“I had heard he was going to run the spread, but it was great to hear him say it,” said Hunnicutt, who admitted that he probably would have ended up being a defensive back if Jones had stayed with the program. “Coach Rogers coming to Jones County was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me because it has given me a chance to play college football. I don’t really think that would have happened for me as a defensive back.”

Hunnicutt will play his final game when he takes part in the Middle Georgia Football All-Star Game at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Fort Valley State.

Although Hunnicutt has made a 21 on the ACT, to go along with a 3.0 GPA, he currently has no offers from any NCAA Division I or Division II programs, but he has several offers from Division III programs.

“I guess that they see me as being a bit undersized to play at a higher level, and it is very frustrating for me, but it also motivates me because I feel like I can compete at any level,” said Hunnicutt, who is close to 6-foot. “I have several D-II schools that seem close to making offers, but they haven’t, so it’s another great reason to play in this game.

“After one practice I can tell that this game is full of talented players, and I am sure it will be a lot of fun.”

Hunnicutt threw for 7,826 yards and 60 touchdowns the past three seasons, leading the Greyhounds to the playoffs each season — a first for the program.

“I understand all of them are looking for someone a little bigger, but there are a lot of people that are missing out on Bradley,” Rogers said. “This is a kid who won’t blow you away with size, but he is a winner and a phenomenal decision-maker on the field. I guarantee you he is fully prepared to play college football, and they just cannot measure the size of this kid’s heart.

“I know that I will have a very nervous feeling when we start the season next year because I won’t have him.”

Hunnicutt and the Greyhounds finished 26-10 the past three seasons, including the program’s first 10-win season in 2014.

“I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Hunnicutt said of his career. “The entire town was football crazy once they got that taste of winning, and everyone treated us so well and came to the games. It was very special, and hopefully I will represent my school in a great way on Saturday.”

This story was originally published January 9, 2017 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Hunnicutt gets one more chance to display his talents."