Carson Bunnell is reuniting with former Ripon Christian teammates, while Brady Grondz is headed to an NCAA Division III powerhouse.
The two seniors were recognized during a lunchtime ceremony in the Ripon Christian team on Wednesday.
Bunnell inked with Division II Black Hills State University of Spearfish, S.D. on National Signing Day, where he’ll join 2023 Ripon Christian alums Griffin de Abreu and Thys Van Der Hoek. Meanwhile, Grondz committed to Wheaton College, a private school out of Wheaton, Ill.
Bunnell and Grondz were instrumental figures in Ripon Christian winning back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII championships — the first two in program history. They both plan on pursuing business degrees.
Black Hills State is getting the reigning Southern Athletic League Offensive Lineman of the Year in the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Bunnell, who credits de Abreu for getting the recruiting process started between the two sides.
Wheaton College was among the schools Bunnell strongly considered, but he was ultimately drawn to Black Hills and head coach Josh Breske.
“I got to visit all of them and they’re all great, but when I went to Black Hills I just felt a connection there,” Bunnell said. Clarion University rounded out his top-three choices. “The head coach came to the program when it was at an all-time low, and it’s cool to see how much of an impact he has made since he’s been there.
“The coaches hold players like me accountable. They’ll put responsibility on the students to do well in the classroom as well as on the field.”
The Yellowjackets compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic League. This past fall, they had their best conference record in the program’s Division-II era at 5-4 and finished 6-4 overall for a second straight winning season.
“They have an offense that relies heavily on the run game, which is similar to what we have here,” Bunnell said. “I’ve always been a run-game type of guy, so I knew this is school for me.”
Grondz also made his decision based on fit.
He starred as the flyback in Ripon Christian’s prolific offense, and he’s joining another program that can light it up.
“I did want to go D-I at one point but realized that even if I did get that opportunity, it may not be the best opportunity for me,” Grondz said. “I just figured it would be a better opportunity for me to play D-III ball rather than sacrifice academics or friendships just to go D-I.”
Wheaton College has been a force for decades, enjoying winning seasons every year since 1999. The Thunder went 10-2 last year, finished as runner-up in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and made its fourth consecutive NCAA Division III Football Championships appearance, falling in the second round.
Wheaton is headed by Jesse Scott, and defensive coordinator Mikey Swider recruited Grondz. The relationship started when Swider reached on social media.
“They were looking for a good, Christian guy,” Grondz said. “They wanted me as a person, player and student. It’s more about building character than a football player. Incorporating all of those things together is why they’re so good. They’re top-10 ranked every single year, and I want to be part of a program that’s going to play high-level ball. At the same time, it’s not all about football.
“After going on my visit, I never looked back.”
Grondz is the All-SAL Offensive Player of the Year after amassing 1,777 all-purpose yards — 945 rushing, 346 receiving, 263 kickoff returns and 223 punt returns — and a team-high 25 touchdowns. Three of those TDs came on special-teams returns.
“They are outside-receiver heavy right now, and they didn’t have too many insides that fit what they want to do,” Grondz said. “Their offensive scheme works to get their best players the ball, and if I’m one of those players they’ll find a way to get me the ball from the slot position. They told me I can return (punts and kicks) on special teams this year, but I’ll have to work hard for it.”
