Oliver Gunn Adding Another Chapter To Storied Family Legacy in Football

Oliver Gunn just might be the best all-around athlete at La Grange High School. The junior is a star football, basketball and baseball player.

As a powerful defensive end Gunn has been a huge key to the Leps’ recent three-game win streak and their 4-1 start to the season.

“The Gunn-Show, the OBlock. He’s just an outstanding kid a do-right kid,” said La Grange head coach Kyle Cooper. “He’s sold out to the program, sold out to the weight room, sold out to his teammates. He was voted as a captain by his teammates. He’s physical, loves the grind of it and we’re lucky to have him. We love what he does for us on defense and we use him in some spot plays on offense, and he’s just a weapon there. Great player.”

We’re proud to honor Gunn as this week’s Fayette County Athlete of the Week.

Here’s our interview with him:

The football team has already won more games this season than all of last year. How satisfying has this turnaround been?

“It’s super satisfying. You can feel it. There’s been a huge culture shift in our locker room and in practice every day. Every day this year feels better than any day we had last year.”

You were the only freshman on the varsity back in 2022. What was that like?

“It really helped me grow as a player and really helped me appreciate what being on the team really was. Playing up and getting used to players I had never played with before .. the way they put me under their wing, the seniors and juniors, is what I try to do with our younger players now.”

You were a quarterback in middle school football, what was it like leaving that behind to focus on other parts of your game?

“There was an opening on the varsity team at linebacker and I was really set on making the varsity as a freshman. At first I was kinda bummed out to give up playing quarterback but as I grew into a defensive player, I took on, even personality- wise, what it was like to play hard-nosed football, and I really enjoy it.”

What is your favorite sport?

“My favorite sport has to be football. It’s important in my family. I just put so much time and effort into it. It’s pretty much my whole life at this point.”

What sport do you feel like comes easiest to you, and which has come the most difficult to you?

“Football came pretty easy to me. I had success even back in seventh grade ... Difficulty, I’d say tennis. I was OK, but I never really stood out.”

Are you interested in playing football at the college level? And if so talk about any recruiting interest you are receiving.

“I’m really interested in playing at the college level. There have been a couple of schools that have come and talked to me. I’ve gone to camps the past three summers, and I’ve been putting out film on social media. Hopefully it will start picking up soon.”

Besides sports, what other activities are you involved in at school and the community?

“I’m in a lot of clubs, LEO Club, Spanish Club, German Club. My grandma volunteers at Second Chance and I go down there with her sometimes – try to give back, and also I go to church.”

Your uncle, Tye Gunn, was the quarterback on La Grange’s 2000 state title team. Have you ever seen old football videos of him in high school or during his great career at TCU, and do you talk football with him a lot?

“I talk football with him all the time. He’s probably my biggest influence when it comes to football. I remember being a little kid getting distracted in class googleing Tye Gunn highlights, Tye Gunn everything. He’s been a huge role model for me. I appreciate him being a big part of my life.”

Your grandfather (Dr. Daniel White) was a quarterback at Princeton University. What do you know about his football career?

“He played football in Alice, Texas, a giant school. He was the valedictorian. He’s very smart. He’s a doctor now, general surgeon. He always wanted to play at Princeton. He’s always been super supportive of me. I think he takes that mentality of being a quarterback into his work of being a doctor. You have to be smart, know what you’re doing and be aware of your surroundings.”

Do you have a nickname?

“Big-O, O-Block, Ollie”

Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?

“Before the game I try to stay calm, put my music in, stay to myself, but when I get in the tunnel, that’s when I really let loose.”

What is your favorite place to eat out in La Grange and what is your go-to order there?

“Back Porch BBQ, I go with the loaded fries with brisket.”