SLIPPERY ROCK — When William Mokel was a young child, his grandfather began calling him “Zip.”

When Mokel began playing youth football, his coach kept the nickname alive.

Ever since, it has stuck.

Zip was an apt description for Mokel, whose strong arm set the stage for a strong debut season as a sophomore quarterback at Slippery Rock High School last fall.

Now “Zip” might take on a whole new meaning.

“I'm definitely faster than I was last year,” said Mokel, who is also definitely bigger — the 6-foot quarterback has packed on 25 pounds in the past year and now tips the scales at 185. “Just a couple of weeks ago, I went to a camp and I ran a 4.67, 4.69 (in the 40-yard dash). It's definitely better than last year, but I want to get faster.”

Mokel was a potent passer last season for the Rockets, but wasn't used much as a runner.

That may change this season.

Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz likes to use his quarterbacks in the running game, but pulled off of that approach last season with Mokel as a first-year starter.

“I think as a sophomore, that was a little intimidating,” Wendereusz said. “So, we kind of pulled off that a little bit. We wanted him to throw the ball. We knew he could throw it. I think this year we want to see all the abilities he has and he's embraced that.”

Mokel is pumped about his expanded role.

Last year, he was perfectly comfortable throwing the ball. He completed more than 50 percent of his passes for more than 1,000 yards and pulled off a comeback win against rival Grove City at home late in the year.

But Mokel is well aware of what quarterbacks have done in the past in the running game and he's eager for that challenge.

“I'm honestly excited to get in the run game a little bit,” Mokel said. “Last year I only kind of ran when I was in trouble and scrambling around. This year we're going to do more designed run plays and (run-pass options).”

Make no mistake, though. Mokel's real gift on the gridiron is his throwing ability and he's also worked on that this summer, too.

During June he attended as many camps as he could and this month, Slippery Rock is participating in several 7-on-7 drills.

Mokel is working in particular on his mechanics, namely his footwork.

“One thing I noticed in some of the camps I went — like that camp at SRU — is my base. My base is a little weird sometimes,” Mokel said. “That's why some of my throws were a little off.”

With that glitch remedied, Mokel is also tackling the mental side of the game.

“I've learned when I make a mistake, not to get too upset about it,” Mokel said. “I realized last year when I would throw an interception, I played worse the rest of the game because I was worried about that one play.”

Mokel also dedicated himself to the weight room this summer.

Last year, he was just 15 pounds away from the prestigious 1,000-pound club — lifts in the squat, deadlift and bench that add up to 1,000.

He finally achieved that Monday.

“I was really happy to get that,” Mokel said. “My goal was to get it before school ended, but I came just short. I'm glad I got that out of the way.”

Mokel has also developed into a natural leader. He and some of his receivers and running backs have worked with coaches this summer to build chemistry.

“We've got some pretty good leaders as juniors and seniors right now and a quarterback is a natural position of leadership,” Wendereusz said. “I think his work ethic and desire to get better and his ability to lead, not with just words, but with his actions and doing the right things, bodes well for us as a team and for Zip's future.”