A special season. A special player.

That word—special—keeps popping up when discussing University of Indianapolis quarterback Gavin Sukup. Through all the accolades and all the wins, the senior signal caller has already cemented an enviable legacy at UIndy, but this season, he's taken it up a notch.

"It's been pretty special seeing Gavin play at such a high level this year," said senior offensive lineman and fellow-team-captain Ryne Buttz. "He just refuses to lose. He wants the ball in his hands, and he wants to make plays to lead us to wins."

From small-town Nebraska to the suburbs of Chicago to the Circle City, Sukup's football journey has been chocked-full of success. A two-way standout and All-State performer as a high schooler in Seward, Neb., Sukup started his collegiate career at junior college-power College of DuPage. There he earned the QB1 spot as a true freshman and led the Chaparrals to the 2022 NJCAA national championship on the way to garnering JUCO All-America Second Team laurels.

Next, he transferred to UIndy in 2023 to tackle the NCAA Division II experience. He didn't miss a beat; he won the starting job in fall camp and hasn't looked back. 

"When Gavin first got to UIndy," recalled senior wide receiver Cobi Lewis, "it was one of those things where you just kind of knew that he was special. From some of our first practices, we all immediately saw the talent that he has."

He has since guided the Hounds to back-to-back GLVC titles and consecutive playoff appearances while twice been named the GLVC Offensive Player of the Year.

But this year, you ask? This season? Sukup has found another gear.

Through eight games, he ranks in the top five in DII in completion percentage, passing touchdowns, and passing yards, all while leading a UIndy offense that ranks second in the nation in scoring offense. Meanwhile, the Greyhounds are ranked No. 13 in the latest AFCA DII Coaches Poll and have won six straight games.

"He's playing the best football of his career right now," observed offensive coordinator Michael Engle. "He's had an unbelievable start to his senior season. He is in command of the offense at all times. The game has really slowed down for him this year, and he is executing at an extremely high level."
 

?? Harlon Hill Watch for QB1 ?? pic.twitter.com/tHNaQeLjLT

— UIndy Football (@UIndyFB) October 20, 2025

Sukup is also climbing the list of the program's career leaders. He is quickly approaching the school record for career TD passes and also has a shot at the career passing yards mark.

Now a perennial Harlon Hill Award candidate, it could be easy for the star quarterback to get caught up in all the accolades and adulation. But Sukup has always been a team guy, not a "me" guy.

"Gavin's best quality as a teammate is his dedication to everyone around him," shared senior wideout Alonzo Derrick. "He'll put his best foot forward every game and give it his all. You never question his commitment to the team because he puts it all on the line."

Added Buttz: "He's always the most prepared person on the field. He works hard in practice, in the film room, and the weight room. A team is going to have a lot of success when their quarterback puts in as much work as he does on a week-to-week basis."

With the help of a stout UIndy defense and an effective special teams unit, Sukup is primed to lead the Greyhounds back to the playoffs this November, with sights set squarely on the team's first postseason win since 2018.

UIndy head coach Chris Keevers knows that Sukup is the key to a deep postseason run.

"Gavin is the complete package at quarterback," said the seventh-year head man. "He is a great leader and tremendous worker. He embodies everything that it means to be a Greyhound. He is a competitor with a great arm and he can make plays with his feet—whether running or extending to make throws. He's a great teammate and just does a great job making everyone around him better."