Subscribe now

Three-star quarterback Gunner Cruz verbally commits to Washington State

Three-star high school quarterback Gunner Cruz, of Queen Creek, Arizona, gave Washington State a verbal pledge on Thursday. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

PULLMAN – Washington State’s latest quarterback commit possesses a first name that’s not only appropriate for the position he’ll be playing in Pullman, but also the system he’ll be playing in.

Gunner Cruz, a three-star QB from Casteel High in Queen Creek, Arizona, verballed to the Cougars on Thursday, giving Mike Leach his first QB commit in the class of 2019.

A 6-foot-4 pro style passer, Cruz has quarterbacked Casteel to a 23-2 record in three years and he’s been the Colts’ only starter since the program’s inaugural season, and the school’s opening, in 2015. He was under center when Casteel won the 3A State championship in 2017, leading the Colts to a 35-28 victory over Pusch Ridge. He tossed three touchdowns and completed 16-of-24 passes for 288 yards in the game.

Cruz, who’s thrown for 5,775 yards and 70 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Casteel, lists 17 offers and a number from Power Five programs, including Baylor, Cincinnati, Syracuse and Arizona State.

He’s the second verbal commit the Cougars have picked up in 2018. Billy Pospisil, a wide receiver from Pomona High School in Arvada, Colorado – the same school that produced WSU running back Max Borghi – committed to Leach and the Cougars in early February.

Barring any roster changes, Cruz will be one of seven QBs at WSU in the fall of 2019, alongside Cammon Cooper, Trey Tinsley, Anthony Gordon, John Bledsoe, Connor Neville and Casey Brink.