Last year Turlock Christian’s Chase Gonzalez suffered a mid-season collar bone injury, forcing the Eagle’s starting quarterback to miss half of the season’s scheduled games. Gonzalez didn’t let his injury keep him down, though, as he returned to finish the final few games under center and end the season with 1,588 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in his second year as a varsity player.

Tenacity and pure ability are the qualities that allowed Gonzalez to return last season and they are also the traits that garnered the Division I prospect much deserved attention at this year’s Blue-Grey Nor-Cal Combine in Napa Valley. Gonzalez’ passing and game time abilities set the soon-to-be senior apart from the other 300 prospects at the combine and earned him a spot at the Blue-Grey National Super Combine at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on June 23.

“He has a really good arm but his leadership ability is probably his greatest attribute,” TC’s head coach Shane Smith said.

As a selected player at the National Super Combine, Gonzalez is one of 200 prospects chosen out of thousands of athletes from 36 different state combines. At 6 feet, 6 inches, Gonzalez is a prime college quarterback recruit displaying the physical characteristics of a pure pocket passer which is highly desired by college coaches.

“God gave me a strong arm and I’m going to use it,” Gonzalez said. “I want to break into D-1, take it season by season, and see where He takes me.”

Gonzalez’ dream of playing Division I football can be aided with a standout performance at the National Super Combine. If he performs well, Gonzalez will have the opportunity to play in the Blue-Grey National All Star Game in January which will be televised on Fox Sports Net.

“I’m working out and throwing every day to get ready for the combine,” Gonzalez said. “I want to show them that I’ve been working hard and that I’m willing to give it all I got. Hopefully they’ll like what they see.”

In addition to the national exposure provided by the combine, Gonzalez hopes to bolster his chances at a college scholarship with a standout senior season with the Eagles’ football squad. With his collar bone healed, Gonzalez is expected to helm a no huddle offense that specializes in passing. If things go as planned, coach Smith sees Gonzalez throwing for a potential 3,000 yards and 50 touchdowns.

“With the receivers we have and with him at quarterback we should be able to score a lot of points,” Smith said. “He’s going to end up at a college somewhere, there’s no question about that.”

Gonzalez is careful not to get too ahead of himself though. Right now his sole focus is the combine and his preparation.

“It would be a great experience to make the All Star Game,” Gonzalez said. “Not many kids from Turlock get the chance to play football on national TV.”