Penn State QB, central Ohio native Ethan Grunkemeyer fulfilling dream to play at Ohio Stadium

As a Columbus area native, Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer’s debut at Ohio Stadium will not be business as usual.

After season-ending ankle surgery to starting quarterback Drew Allar, Grunkenmeyer assumed QB1 duties. The former Olentangy High School quarterback is now set to make his second start in a college football game in the stadium he grew up 20 minutes from, Ohio State faces Penn State on Nov. 1.

“I dreamed about playing in that stadium,” Grunkemeyer said, “So, it’s going to be cool to go back home and be able to have the chance to do that. So, I’m super excited.”

Though Grunkemeyer, who grew up in Lewis Center, Ohio, never received an offer from the Buckeyes, he told reporters he got recruited by Ohio State coaching staff members.

“I took a couple visits down there,” Grunkemeyer said. “They never ended up offering me, but I had a pretty good relationship. (I) talked to their quarterback coach a couple times, and (offensive coordinator), and I had good visits down there, but it never ended up being too crazy.”

Growing up watching Ohio State football games, Grunkemeyer was in the stands at The Shoe at the 2017 Ohio State-Penn State game, a 39-38 upset win for the No. 6 Buckeyes over the No. 2 Nittany Lions.

Grunkemeyer also has family ties to the Buckeyes; his mom, Megan McCabe, played for the Ohio State women’s basketball team from 1997-99. He volunteers with the 2nd & 7 foundation, which was founded by Ohio State football players Ryan Miller, Luke Fickell (Wisconsin head coach), and Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots head coach).

As quarterback for Olentangy, Grunkemeyer passed for 3,517 yards, 39 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 66.3% completion rate.

At Penn State, he is 23-for-39 passing for 198 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown.