Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/916653
A student of Linebacker U lore, Luketa eager to join the lineage W hen Jesse Luketa took his 5rst practice snaps at Mercyhurst Preparatory School, the sophomore defensive back lined up about 20 yards too deep, as his coach, Je6 Root, recalls it. Born in Canada and accustomed to dealing with the more expansive 5eld di- mensions north of the border, Luketa's small mistake was the beginning of a learning process that transformed him from a safety into the No. 13 inside line- backer in Rivals.com's ranking of top 2018 prospects. He's also a key recruit in Penn State's latest class. "I had to grow really fast, because I le7 Canada when I was 15 and I le7 all my friends and family behind," Luketa said. "I had a bigger picture in front of me and I just dedicated myself... to getting a full athletic scholarship." With upwards of 30 scholarship o6ers from Football Bowl Subdivision schools, Luketa achieved what he set out to do, and then some. Along the way, he rejuvenated a Mercy- hurst program that had struggled might- ily before his arrival. From 2013 through 2015, the Lakers went 6-24, enduring a coaching change as Root took over for Matt Morgan in 2014. In 2016, Luketa paced Mercyhurst to its 5rst winning season in four years. And this past fall, he led the Lakers to an un- defeated regular season, posting 80 total tackles to go along with three intercep- tions, four sacks and three forced fum- bles. On o6ense, Luketa found the end zone seven times and rushed for nearly 400 yards. Root hopes Luketa's impact on the pro- gram will extend beyond what he did on the 5eld during his time in Erie, Pa. "He's one of those guys you just love having in your program because our young guys can emulate him in every- thing he does, not just his play on the 5eld," Root said. Luketa, conscious of his status as a role model at Mercyhurst, intends to use his sharpened leadership skills at the next level. One of the three linebackers in coach James Franklin's 2018 recruiting class, the 6-foot-2, 241-pound Luketa is set to en- roll at Penn State in January. He's already carved out a leadership role among his peers in the Class of 2018. "I honestly think it's a natural thing," Luketa said. "I've always been a natural born leader. ... I try to lead with my ac- tions, with my voice. I'm a vocal leader. I enjoy it. I love being that guy who can rally the troops and just be their go-to guy who people can lean on and view as a leader in the community [and] on the football team." For his part, Root doesn't expect Luketa to lose those qualities once he arrives. "It's not going to faze him that he's at Penn State," Root said. "It's not going to faze him that there are All-Americans around him. "Even though he'll be a freshman, he's going to do the same things he's doing now once he gets there." Luketa is no stranger to the standard Penn State sets at his position. Root said his former player is an expert on the Nit- tany Lions' history at linebacker, from past greats like Paul Posluszny to present stars like Jason Cabinda. So when Luketa says he's intent on adding to the Line- backer U tradition, it carries a bit of extra weight. "He's not just throwing it around," Root said. "He's done his research." With his 5nal high school season behind him, Luketa is preparing his body and mind for what awaits him at Penn State. The Ottawa native understands the envi- ronment he's getting into, but his aspira- tions remain high. "It's going to be a grind, but I wouldn't want it any other way," he said. "I have an opportunity to go and do something spe- cial, jump in and hopefully get into the rotation as a true freshman. If not, I'll have the opportunity as a redshirt to pre- pare myself and prepare my body." Spearheading a 2018 recruiting class that wants nothing less than to bring a national championship to Penn State, it's clear Luketa doesn't shy away from a challenge. At the heart of that goal-driven mindset is the steadfast motivation provided by his loved ones back home. "When I get to campus, it's serious now," Luketa said. "I'm going to have my family pushing me, because I know that's who I want to do it for, to support my family. It's a position where they could reap all the bene5ts of what this game can provide for me." ■ | THE LUKETA FILE STATS Totaled 80 tackles as a sen- ior, including seven tackles for loss and four sacks, along with three in- terceptions, six pass deflections, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries... Helped lead Mercyhurst to a 10-1 record... Finished with 69 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble re- coveries as a junior HONORS Named a four-star recruit by Ri- vals.com, as well as the No. 12 player in Pennsylvania and No. 13 in- side line- backer nationally Rivals.com CLICK HERE to see video of Luketa in action.