Zona Zealots spent some time getting to know incoming Arizona Tight End Jamie Nunley who was just awarded “Athlete of the Year” from his soon to be Alma Mater, Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, California.
Jamie Nunley and his sister celebrate his award for “Athlete of the year”
Jamie Nunley is ready to come to Tucson, but will have to wait for six months. He graduates High School in a couple of days and was awarded the schools “Athlete of the Year Award.” Impressed already.
He has a very tight family and he is one of four siblings. He has three sisters and points out he has zero brothers!
There is one other male sibling in his life, a golden retriever named Cooper who doubles as his brother, Jamie does have a lot of cousins that he’s constantly hanging out with, “So it is all good!”
https://twitter.com/jamienunley4/status/603361360269873153
Jamie’s inspiration is his family, “Just my family in general. They push me and really make me strive to be great and I want to make them proud.”
His mother takes great care of him always making sure the refrigerator is stocked and food is on the table for her growing son which is just one of the things helping him bulk up, “Just lifting everyday and eating everything, I’m very lucky to have her,” Jamie let me know. ESPN lists Nunley at 6′ 3 and I asked him if that was correct. His response? “I’m 6’5 and weight 220 pounds! I never knew where the 6’3 came from, but yeah I’ve gained 20 pounds in the last 4 months,” said Nunley.
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When it comes to what his coaches think are Jamie’s strong points, “Work ethic and Athleticism but I am very humble and uncomfortable talking about my strongpoints.” Most importantly, Jamie loves to play the game of football, “Yes I have a blast! I love the game!”
This is what I enjoy most about this great young man, he’s funny and confident. You have to be confident to play the game of football for Coach Rich Rodriguez, confident and hungry. Jamie is both those things, but its most important to Jamie to stay humble, “Oh I am but I let my playing do the talking.”
But Nunley did not just have football coaches, he also played on his High School’s Boys Varsity Volleyball team. Landon Negri of The Press Enterprise reported that Nunley was the “Marquee player for the first-year varsity team at Vista Murrieta.” Jamie did not play Volleyball all four years of High School, “It would have been nice to have all four years,” Nunley said. “But it’s good to start off and kind of lead the way for (our) upcoming teams.”
If you follow Nunley on Twitter (@JamieNunley4) you find he is a very social person and spends time on Twitter with friends and Wildcats fans. We have something in common, it’s refreshing.
I suggested he connect with one of his future Quarterbacks Khalil Tate (@KhalilDTN) as Khalil is also active and entertaining on social media. Both enjoy conversing with Wildcat fans, “I honestly love it! I can’t wait to get there !” He has played football against future Arizona Wildcats Quarterback Devon Modster, says, “ played against Devon! He’s a beast!”
Jamie is going to “Grey Shirt” and is planning on arriving in Tucson for spring semester, landing in Tucson about the same time as Tate. This way he can take some classes in Junior College to get a head start while reserving some of his eligibility.
His pre-game ritual? “I listen to the Eye of the Tiger by Survivor! Ha ha, ever since middle school.” Whatever works Jamie, whatever works. Personally that song really get me going as well, never gets old.
Jamie Nunley
Jamie is going to play Tight End, but says he’s “Able to flex out and play Wide Receiver.” I wondered if he was looking to follow in former Wildcat and 6’6 265 pound Tight End Rob Gronkowski‘s footsteps since he is so successful, “Exactly!! I’m pretty sure he’s a little heavier but soon enough!” Nunley is only on inch in height and 45 pounds away from being “Gronk” size, and at this rate, he will get there soon. As far as being like “Gronk,” he agreed he wants to be more grounded, and as far as dance moves, he admitted, “I got some moves in the vault!”
Zona Zealots looks forward to conversing and sharing with Jamie Nunley, we wish him the best of luck and send him congratulations wishes for his impending High School graduation, and for winning the “Athlete of the Year” award, no small task.
Bear Down Jamie! You will be in Tucson soon enough and be able to get yourself a breakfast burrito on Highland any time of the day, only 45 pounds to go!