For IU Quarterback Grant Gremel, "Pressure is Fake"

Written by Matt Smith

Redshirt sophomore Grant Gremel, walked-on the Indiana football team during the 2019 season. The Noblesville, Indiana native was not expected to play at all this season with three quarterbacks on scholarship. 

However, with in-state rival Purdue coming up Saturday, Gremel will be used in some way on the field on Saturday.

“Yeah, he is definitely going to be in there getting lots of reps. We'll see as the week plays on. We'll see who is healthy, who is also able to go. He's obviously going to get a lot of reps. I liked what I saw on Saturday, for sure,” head coach Tom Allen said on Monday.

Gremel has been thrown into the fire for the Hoosiers this season. Gremel was thrown into his first game against Ohio State in a primetime game. He kept his composure for the entire game and then received more playing time throughout the rest of the season.

Last week against Minnesota, Gremel threw his first career college touchdown to freshman Malachi Holt-Bennet who leapt up to make the grab between two defenders. 

Gremel has completed 14-of-28 yards passing with 122 yards including the touchdown so far this season. The most notable stat being zero interceptions this season. 

Coming out of high school, Gremel was a two star recruit. He was also the 37th ranked player in the state and the 120th pro style quarterback nationally according to 247sports.com. Gremel had one offer out of high school, Florida Atlantic University.

Now Gremel threw Indiana’s first touchdown pass to a wide receiver since Sept. 11 and first overall passing touchdown since Oct.30.

On Saturday, Gremel has a chance to start in his first career college game, after beginning spring ball as the fifth quarterback on the depth chart.

“When I came here, I never thought I’d be in this position,” Gremel said after the game. “It’s humbling. It’s real special.”

Allen said on Monday that Gremel’s high school coaches recommended him to them. 

“Of all of our walk-ons that we’ve had here, he has improved the most,” Allen said.. “Tough kid, works hard, attention to detail, he’s very smart, an excellent student, what you want in a walk-on.

Allen said there are many options for the starting quarterback position, including Gremel who has impressed Allen on Saturday..

“He always does the right thing, and it's been awesome to see him be rewarded for that,” Allen said. “He’s calm, very poised, just sits back there and does his job.”

With Gremel being a walk-on quarterback to start in a big rivalry game, there could be a lot of pressure on him, but not to him.

“Being here for three years, I know the plays,” Gremel said. “Pressure's fake. I don’t believe in pressure.”