2017 Game Program Feature: Senior Luke McNitt

When his original college football arrangements didn’t go according to plan, senior Luke McNitt found a brotherhood among walk-ons who became scholarship players for the University of Nebraska football team.

McNitt, attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney and played football for the Lopers as a freshman, but after one year, the Kearney native decided to reopen his college decision. The Huskers opted to bring in McNitt as a preferred walk-on, beginning his version of a storied tale so many Nebraskans take pride in - walk-ons who eventually earn scholarships.

Becoming a major contributor with a scholarship was always a goal for McNitt. From the beginning of his time in Lincoln, McNitt looked up to former Husker walk-ons such as Sam Foltz, Brandon Reilly, Andy Janovich and Jack Gangwish, players who earned scholarships in their time at Nebraska and modeled his work ethic after theirs. Despite redshirting in 2014 and seeing minimal time in 2015, McNitt worked hard on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom.

“I learned so much from those older guys, and I take pride in the younger guys asking me for advice, the same way I asked so many of the former walk-ons for advice,” McNitt said. “I tell them just like all of the guys that came before me told me, to come in here, go to work, put your head down, and your time will come.”

McNitt’s opportunity came in 2016 when Andy Janovich was selected in the NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, leaving the Husker fullback position up for grabs. During the 2016 season, McNitt earned the No. 1 fullback role for the Huskers, picking up starts against Oregon and Wisconsin. McNitt also recorded two carries for four yards at Iowa and was a key blocker in the Huskers’ rushing attack. He contributed as one of Nebraska’s top special teams performers, tying for the team lead with 10 special teams tackles, including six solo stops.

Off the field, McNitt proved himself as an all-around hard worker and achiever, when he was named Nebraska’s 2016 Lifter of the Year and earned a spot on the Academic All-Big Ten team in both 2015 and 2016.

“I could finally see light at the end of the tunnel,” McNitt said. “I put in so much work here. I put in my time, and I could feel my chance coming.”
In January of 2017, McNitt received a message from the Nebraska coaching staff indicating that it was time for him to finally sign his scholarship papers.

“It was such an exciting experience,” McNitt said. “The first person I called was my dad, and then I called my mom, and they were so excited for me. I will never forget it.”

The senior fullback credits his parents and older brother and sister for providing him with good examples of the type of person he wants to become, and for supporting him in his endeavors at the University of Nebraska. McNitt will graduate in December with a degree in business management, but hopes his football career will continue, either as a player, coach or recruiter.