After breaking his tibia and fibula diving in for a touchdown in week one of the 2024 season, junior quarterback Carson Gulker looks to make his triumphant return almost a year later.
In the 2022 season, during which the Bulldogs won the national championship, he threw for 701 yards with four touchdowns to three interceptions while running for 882 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and 31 touchdowns.
In the 2023 season, Gulker threw for 722 yards with 10 touchdowns to zero interceptions, while adding 707 rushing yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry with 14 touchdowns. His most prolific game came in the 2023 season against the Ashland Eagles, wherein he passed for 121 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 21 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2024, he was named the starting quarterback, and in the two games he started, he went a combined 3-4 in passing for 27 yards and one touchdown, as well as rushing the ball 10 times for a combined 98 yards. In those two games, he shared the backfield with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who took on a bigger role following Gulker’s injury.
Head coach Tony Annese spoke about Gulker’s time during preseason camp.
“Yeah he’s back to 100% now and has been rolling really well,” Annese said. “He’s had a good camp, and he’s been doing a nice job, and we’re very confident in his skill set and ability to run the offense.”
Chambliss led the team as the sole quarterback last season. Chambliss, who still had a year of college eligibility, transferred to the University of Mississippi. With that change, Gulker will be the starting quarterback to start the season. During last season Gulker watched from the sidelines as Ferris won game after game and, eventually, won the National Championship for the third time since 2021. Gulker spoke about his new role with the team now that he wasn’t on the field.
“Watching the team’s success was really awesome,” Gulker said. “Maybe a little bittersweet because I did want to be able to be out there, but I was super proud of how the team played. My role kind of had to change to just being the best teammate I could be. I was just really proud of those guys.”
Following his recovery, Gulker was allowed to play football and is currently a full participant in training camp, and he impressed senior wide receiver Cam Underwood both on and off the field during his recovery.
“The man is a warrior,” Underwood said. “The way he’s attacked recovery, you’d think he never missed a snap. As a receiver, it fires me up because I know he’s going to give everything he’s got, and that makes you want to match that intensity. I’m beyond excited to see him bounce back and remind everyone why he’s the best.”
Gulker suffered the injury in early September, and he was back on his feet running by December, but still with some pain. It wasn’t until April that he felt like he was better. Like many athletes who suffer this injury, Gulker wasn’t allowed to put any weight on his leg for almost three months during recovery, which transitioned into physical therapy to regain the strength in the leg.
Gulker is ready to be suited up and back on the field for the first time since last September.
“I am super excited to be healthy again and be able to get back out there and compete again,” Gulker said. “I’m a competitor and I’m just so excited to be able to compete again and be back out there with all the guys.”
Gulker’s first game back since week one of the 2024 season will be on Thursday, Aug. 28, at home vs Pittsburg State at 7 p.m.