GROVE CITY — What do you do when a fourth-year starting quarterback is blocking your path to the field?

Choose another path.

That strategy is working for Butler graduate Zach Rader.

Walking on at Grove City College as a quarterback last year, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Rader was among a few signal-callers behind veteran Brian Pell on the depth chart.

“Once we got to camp last year and saw Zach's speed and athleticism, we had to find a way to get him on the field,” Grove City coach Chris Smith said. “With a veteran quarterback already in the mix, it wasn't gonna happen there.

“We asked Zach about playing wingback. The transition took all of 15 minutes. We knew he was gonna play.”

Rader wound up playing in nine games as as freshman last year, completing his only pass for 36 yards, carrying the ball 21 times for 71 yards and catching three passes for 16 yards.

He saw enough action to letter — not bad for a high school quarterback who suffered through a three-year record of two wins, 25 losses with the Golden Tornado.

“I saw it as a way to get on the field,” Rader said of moving to wingback. “I'll do anything to help the team.

“I never had to block anyone before, being a quarterback, so I had to learn that. I'm still getting used to that role. If I'm called upon to throw a block, I just put my head down and do it.”

Rader's multiple talents are not lost on GCC offensive coordinator Jim Chinn.

“You have to be able to do everything to play wingback in our offense,” Chinn said. “We're making use of all of Zach's talents.”

Through three games this year, Rader has gained 54 yards on six carries, caught five passes for 46 yards, and completed a 56-yard touchdown pass against Washington & Jefferson last week, his first pass of the season.

“Ideally, Zach will get about 10 touches a game,” Smith said. “That's a significant contribution.”

Grove City has won as many games so far this season as Rader's teams won in his high school career.

“It was tough at Butler,” Rader admitted. “But that was the situation and we all handled it. I love football and I'm grateful for the opportunity to play in college.

“To get the kind of playing time I've gotten as as freshman and sophomore ... I'm pretty lucky.”

Rader had played quartervback every year he played football, including multiple Butler Area Midget Football League championship seasons with Center Township.

Smith knew Rader was a high school quarterback upon his arrival at training camp last year.

“When he got here, we saw his athletic ability. But we also saw his attitude and personality,” Smith said. “We knew he would be an asset to us.”

Chinn refers to Rader as a “chunk player.”

“By that, I mean Zach's going to get his yardage in chunks,” the offensive coordinator said. “That's the nature of his position.

“He's going to get the ball in space and produce 20 and 30-yard gains.”

That has already been the case.

“It's a fun position,” Rader said. “I feel like I can make some impact plays.

“The team comes first, not me. Whatever it takes for us to win, I'll do it. Throwing a block, running the ball, catching it ... I'm OK with all of it.”