Bryce Nunnelly
Wide Receiver / Chattanooga

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Bryce Nunnelly:  My height is a little under 6’1, weight is 193 and I haven’t run a forty in college. 

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Bryce Nunnelly:  The strength coach has been giving us running workouts.  I also do CrossFit workouts at the gym.  I go there five or six times a week.  I am also running routes with my former QB Nick Tiano.  He got picked up by the Texans.  We workout three or four times a week.  He is still in town. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Bryce Nunnelly:  I played PG in basketball all four years and ran track all four years.  I did decathlon which is 10 events.  I was fortunate to go to state my junior and senior year.  I was seventh my junior year and third or fourth my senior year.    

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Bryce Nunnelly:  During my freshman year, I was a wing back and a cornerback.  The next three years, I played safety, corner and outside LB on defense and played receiver from my sophomore year on offense. 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?

Bryce Nunnelly:  Tennessee Tech offered me first that spring before my senior year.  Army, Navy and Eastern Kentucky never offered me.  I received an offer from Chattanooga in June.  I went to their camp going into my senior year.  They offered me three days later after the camp.  Then Charleston Southern offered, but I never went on a visit there.      

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Chattanooga?

Bryce Nunnelly:  I committed early.  They won three SoCon championships.  They went 9-3 the year before.  Their football program was doing well.  Their coach has been there for a while.  They also had the engineering program that I was interested in.     

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career? 

Bryce Nunnelly:  Freshman year, I played on special teams and they put in at receiver the last half of the season.  We went 3-8 my freshman year with the new coaching staff.  During my sophomore year, we had a new WR’s coach.  I was able to start as a sophomore and had a big year.  I had 79 catches for over 1,200 yards and seven TD’s.  It was a big jump.  I didn’t expect that.  I wanted an opportunity to start and play more.  I exceeded my expectations.  We went 6-5.  We got a new coaching staff my junior year.  We graduated four or five WR’s.  I played in the slot as a junior.  I had 57 catches for 794 yards and five TD’s.  We went 6-6. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Bryce Nunnelly:  The biggest strength is I have gotten a lot smarter in college.  I am able to read the defense from watching film.  I know what the defense is trying to do and how I can exploit it.  I am not the fastest or strongest guy, but I am athletic enough.  The main thing is being a smart player and run good routes.     

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Bryce Nunnelly:  I played in the slot last year and I played outside my sophomore year.  I need to get better against press man coverage.  I need to get better with my footwork and with my hands.  I need to get better at blocking.  I can’t miss blocks if I want to help the team out.  I also need to get better at catching in traffic and over the shoulder when I have two people on me. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Bryce Nunnelly:  The biggest highlight was my sophomore year.  It was game two during my sophomore year against The Citadel.  It was an OT win.  We went for two points in OT.  It was a trick play.  We never ran it.  It was a reverse play fake.  The QB tossed it to me, and I threw the ball to the TE to win the game.  It was also the biggest game of my career.  I had 10 catches for 268 yards and two TD’s.    

Alex Khvatov:  You have been named first team All-SoCon two straight years.  How proud are you of those accomplishments? 

Bryce Nunnelly:  I am very proud of those accomplishments.  SoCon is a strong conference.  Being named an all-conference guy is special.  It shows all of the work that I have put in.  I had coaches and teammates helping me.  All other 10 guys on offense, defense, and special teams.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Bryce Nunnelly:  Nothing is guaranteed.  You have to adapt and grow as a player.  I had two different head coaches and three WR coaches.  I learned different systems, and I have learned how to adapt.  I have faced adversity, and it will help me in the future. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Bryce Nunnelly:  My dad is from Alabama.  Growing up, we were Alabama fans.  I like to watch Adam Thielen from the Vikings and Cooper Kupp.  I model my game after them.  They come from smaller schools.  They are two of the best in the game.     

Alex Khvatov:  Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the defense? 

Bryce Nunnelly:  I am looking at the safety first.  I want to see how the corner is lined up on me.  If the safety is walking down over the CB, then the CB will blitz.  I am looking at the backer closest to me.  I am looking at what down it is and the distance. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Bryce Nunnelly:  Chris James converted from QB to TE.  He is a really hard worker.  He is pretty versatile.  OT Harrison Moon #75, safety Jerrell Lawson and safety Brandon Dowdell.     

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Bryce Nunnelly:  I don’t have a specific player.  The South Carolina secondary was good and we played them in 2018.  The Tennessee secondary last year. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Bryce Nunnelly:  Being able to catch the ball under any circumstances.     

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Bryce Nunnelly:  Being part of a team.  The friendships that I made through playing this game.  It is special.  Football is the ultimate sport. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Bryce Nunnelly:  A leader is somebody who is not going to ask questions.  He is leading by example.  Setting an example is much better than words.  Show by your actions. 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from Chattanooga this upcoming season? 

Bryce Nunnelly:  We are hoping to win the SoCon championship.  We are not losing too many players.  We have lots of experience this year.  We should make a run. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Bryce Nunnelly:  Hiking, camping and anything outdoors.      

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Bryce Nunnelly:  I am not much of a talker.  I don’t speak a lot.  I go about my business and work hard.  Actions speak louder than words.  But if I say something, teammates will listen. 

Alex Khvatov:  What type of role do academics play in your life?

Bryce Nunnelly:  I put in a lot of work in the classroom.  It is very important to me.  If I am not practicing, I am doing schoolwork.  I believe that you always give it 100% every time you are on and off the field. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Bryce Nunnelly:  I am a mechanical engineering major.  I am interested in power and converting water to kinetic energy.  I am also interested in the efficiency of systems and engines.  I want to possibly work at a power plant.    

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Bryce Nunnelly:  Responsible, respectful, hardworking, caring, and intelligent.