Grayson’s Schuessler looks back at senior year

It was quite a senior season for Grayson quarterback Nick Schuessler. Despite entering 2011 with a prototypical 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame and accuracy that would seemingly have colleges beating down his door, Schuessler played most of 2011 without a scholarship offer. A perfect 15-0 record, 61-percent completion percentage, 19-to-3 TD-to-interception ratio, a Class AAAAA state title and an appearance in a viral YouTube video later, and Schuessler is headed to Mississippi State to play for head coach Dan Mullen.

Schuessler spoke with Score about his senior season as he prepares for his move to the next level.

“Everyone wants to win a state title,” said Schuessler. “I was really fortunate and blessed to win it my senior year. It was nothing short of perfect.”

The perfect season was hanging in the balance in the semifinal round when Grayson was trailing Colquitt County with time running out. Grayson needed its leader and Schuessler stepped up, leading his team 87 yards and firing a six-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds remaining to win 35-31. That drive was the defining series for the Rams in a championship season.

“Hands down that was the highlight of the season,” said Schuessler. “We’d always made it that far, but never further. It just happened to be my senior season when we got over that hump.”

Schuessler finished that game 9-for-15 for 150 yards and a pair of scores. He followed up that effort with a 3-for-3 game in the Georgia Dome. Schuessler made those three completions count, however, as he racked up 108 yards and two scores, including a 54-yard touchdown in a win over Walton.

“We didn’t know what to expect (in the championship game),” said Schuessler. “I didn’t think about (stats), I just credit my receivers.” Schuessler said he was just trying not to let the experience overwhelm him or his teammates in the championship game.

After the championship game the offers started to trickle in, first Middle Tennessee State, then Colorado State before Mississippi State finally joined the party. Schuessler played in Mickey Conn’s Wing T run-based system, perhaps limiting exposure for Schuessler, but the quarterback would not use that as in excuse.

“(Gaudy numbers) play a role,” admitted Schuessler. “Maybe it hurt me in recruiting, but winning matters. Because we were winning, that’s what mattered. You can put up numbers, but if you aren’t winning, it doesn’t matter.”

Schuessler got a taste of what his future will be in the Gwinnett Rivalries All-Star Game, when he played in a spread offense and lit up the opposition, passing for a pair of scores in a 13-for-17 outing.

“I am looking forward to throwing the ball 25-30 times,” said Schuessler.

On June 4, he will head to Starkville for summer practice and to try and get in on the quarterback competition. But if a redshirt is in his future, he will not complain.

“I’ll go in there, learn the system and, under Coach Mullen, make myself better,” said Schuessler. “When it is my turn, I will make the most of it.”

Schuessler was one of the faces of the 2011-12 sports year and his drive to beat Colquitt County was one of the defining moments. In the “Brookwood, Where You At?” video, rumor has it Brookwood players were asking for Nick Schuessler’s autograph. If he works as hard in Starkville as he did in Grayson, soon SEC fans will be after his signature.