Eufaula football standout Luke Hodgins has been featured in the VYPE Magazine Football Spotlight, presented by Sam Wampler’s Freedom Ford.

Eufaula senior Luke Hodgins was bitten by the football bug when he was a little kid.

“My dad played football at East Central and my grandpa played at OSU, and since I started playing in fifth grade, I’ve dreamed of playing college football as well,” said Luke, who is a member of the National Honor Society and FCA at Eufaula High.

“I grew up watching Baker Mayfield at OU. He was an inspiration about how he was a walk-on that made the team, was always doubted, and was always kind of the underdog—but he went on to make it big. I’ve also admired Luke Kuechly, who played for the NFL Panthers before he retired. I always try to emulate his style at linebacker,” said Luke.

Hodgins came to Eufaula his sophomore year and is now a threeyear starter at running back and linebacker. This season, he earned a special title from head coach Larry Newton Jr.

“He was there every day of summer pride, and that’s one of the things a player has to do to be a captain—which Luke is this year,” said Coach Newton. “He plays more defense for us, but we do have some packages for him at running back.” Through four games this season, Hodgins has 138 rushing yards on 17 carries and 33 tackles. Though he plays both ways, Luke says he prefers playing defense and hopes to continue that position in college.

A career highlight came last year against Stigler when he recorded 12 tackles, two sacks, ran for 100 yards, and scored two touchdowns.

In addition to football, Luke is a multi-sport athlete—he plays center field and pitches for the baseball team, runs the 100-meter dash, throws the shot put for the track team, and placed sixth in the state in powerlifting last winter.

With several football games still ahead, Luke has already drawn attention from numerous college programs, including Cornell, UCO, Harding, East Central, Arkansas Tech, and Central Arkansas, and has visited Southeastern, Southwestern, Southern Nazarene, and UCO.

In his spare time, Luke enjoys hanging out with friends around Lake Eufaula, where he works at the marina and spends time hunting and fishing.