Jonathan Luigs
From NCAA College Football Information & Resource
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Jonathan Luigs (born August 11, 1986 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an offensive lineman playing the center position for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks in the NCAA college football tournament. For three seasons, Luigs has been on the background of eventual Doak Walker Awardee Darren McFadden and his All-American tandem Felix Jones. But Luigs' dirty work did not come unnoticed as his work in creating holes for McFadden and Jones has earned him numerous accolades, including the most prestigious ones such as the Rimington Trophy and several All-American selections as he tries to pad one of the most decorated resumes by a center in the collegiate level.
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[edit] Personal Life
Jonathan is the son of Gary and Yvonne Luigs. He majored in transportation and logistics at the University of Arkansas and was a member of the school's Lon Farrell Academic Honor Roll for Fall 2006 and the 2004-05 academic year. In addition, he was named as a Hard Working Hog for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years.
[edit] High School
Luigs played high school football at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas where he was a three-year starter on the offensive line for Coach Kevin Kelley. Although he started playing as a center and offensive tackle, he also saw action as a defensive end. He graded out at 90 percent or better in blocking in each of his three varsity seasons. As a sophomore, he started every game at center for the Bruins who averaged 555.4 yards of total offense per game and went on to win the conference championship and earn a berth in the state quarterfinals. As a junior, he collected 77 tackles, including 26 solo stops, four sacks, three more tackles for loss (-30) and two quarterback hurries to earn a spot on the all-metro squad after helping the Bruins go 9-3 (7-0), win a second straight conference championship, and advance to the second round of playoffs. In his final year, he recorded 60 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3 quarterback sacks, 4 pass break ups, 2 QB hurries, and a forced fumble on defense while helping the offense average 130.6 rush yards per game and 270.3 pass yards per game for the 13-2 Bruins. He was named into The Associated Press Arkansas Super Team and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Team for his role in helping Pulaski claim the state championship for the first time in school history. He also received the 2003 Brandon Burlsworth Award (named after the former Razorback All-American offensive guard) and was a member of the National Honor Society.
[edit] College
A two-star rated prospect, Luigs was recruited by several FBS teams including LSU, Memphis, Alabama, Iowa, Kansas State and Nebraska. The only schools that offered him scholarships however were Arkansas, LSU, and Vanderbilt. SuperPrep's #12 and The Morning News' #14 prospect in the state gave his commitment to play for the Razorbacks in December of 2003.
[edit] 2004
Redshirted. Luigs was recruited as an offensive guard but also played the center spot as part of the scout team during his true freshman year.
[edit] 2005
Luigs earned a starting spot during his redshirt freshman year when Robert Felton had to move from right guard to right tackle to replace an injured Zac Tubbs (serious high-ankle sprain). He took over from Felton and made his first career start on his collegiate debut against Missouri State where he recorded eight knockdown blocks, graded out at 86 percent, and helped the Hogs rush for 483 yards in the 49-17 victory over the Bears. The following week, he played 74 snaps and graded out at 90 percent with seven knockdown blocks in the 24-28 setback to the Commodores. At top-ranked Southern Cal, he went out early in the first quarter with a high ankle sprain and was forced to sit out at Alabama because of the injury. When he returned against Louisiana-Monroe, Luigs started at center for the first time to replace Rimington Trophy candidate Kyle Roper who had to sit out because of a sore right knee. He graded out at 90 percent and recorded six knockdown blocks in 52 snaps in the 44-15 win over the Warhawks. He shifted back to his old right guard spot against No. 21 Auburn and graded out at 91 percent on 58 snaps with a team-best five knockdown blocks in the 17-point loss to the Tigers. At Georgia, he recorded a team- and career-high 11 knockdown blocks, graded out at 88 percent in 72 snaps, and helped the offense tally 216 yards rushing in the heartbreaking loss to the 4th ranked Bulldogs. In the homecoming game against South Carolina, he once again led the team with eight knockdown blocks, graded out at 84 percent on 73 snaps, and paved the way for the offense who rushed for 219 yards in the 10-14 defeat to the Gamecocks.
At Mississippi, Luigs was forced to move to the center spot early in the game when Roper suffered another knee injury. He finished the game playing in 62 snaps, recording a knockdown block, and grading 80-percent on pass blocking in the 28-17 win over the Rebels. Against Mississippi State the following game, he made his second career start at center and graded out at 91 percent (89 running, 93 passing), had two knockdown blocks, and helped the Hogs register 247 rushing yards and 132 passing yards in the 44-10 win. In the regular season-finale at Baton Rouge, he had five knockdown blocks in the 2-point loss to the Tigers. With Luigs on the line, Arkansas averaged a league-best 216.9 yards rushing per game average (12th in the nation) with ten 100-yard rushing performances for the season. SEC Freshman of the Year Darren McFadden had a breakout year after rushing for 1,113 yards with five 100-yard efforts while running behind the Hogs O-line. Luigs graded out at 84 percent or better on pass blocking in nine of 10 games, ranked second on the line with a season pass blocking average of 92.2 percent, posted the line’s best rush block season average at 82.5 percent, and had 53 knockdown blocks in 10 games (5.3 per game, 2nd on the team). He also received Freshman All-American accolades and was voted into the coaches SEC All-Freshman team.
[edit] 2006
With the departure of Roper, Luigs inherited the starting center spot. In his first game as a full-time center, he graded out at a team-high 94 percent, including 91 on running and 97 on passing plays, with one knockdown in the 14-50 loss to No.6 USC. Against Utah State, he graded 81% with a 95% clip on pass plays, while recording three knockdowns and helping McFadden rush for 184 yards in the 20-point shut-out win. At Vandy, he played all 58 offensive snaps, had three knockdown blocks, and recorded a perfect 100% grade in pass blocking with a total grade of 82% in the 21-19 victory. Against Bama, he was named as the Hogwired.com Offensive Player of the Week after grading 94% (90 run, 100 pass) and recording two knockdown blocks while helping the team rush for 172 yards in the 24-23 double overtime win. At No.2 Auburn, he was in on all 56 offensive snaps, graded out at a team-high 94 percent, earned a five rating, graded 95% on running and 90% on passing blocks, recorded a team-high five knockdowns, and helped McFadden and Jones rush for 100 yards each in the 27-10 upset win over the Tigers. He was named as the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance. In the homecoming game against Southeast Missouri State, he played on 28 snaps, graded 92%, had an 85% grade on running plays and a perfect 100% mark on passing plays, registered three knockdowns, while opening holes for both Jones and Michael Smith who rushed for 100 yards each in the 63-7 win. Against Ole Miss, he graded 91% (90 run, 94 pass), played 47 snaps and earned three knockdown blocks in the 38-3 win over the Rebels. In the 34-point blow-out of ULM, Luigs played 47 snaps, graded 91% (86 run, 100 pass), and helped the Arkansas offense rush for 331 yards with both Jones and McFadden topping the 100-yard mark again. At Columbia, he recorded four knockdowns and helped McFadden gain 219 yards on the ground in the 26-20 victory over the Gamecocks. Against No.13 Tennessee, he was in on 65 snaps, had a 91% clip on rushing plays and 100% grade on passing plays for an overall grade of 93% while helping the Hogs pile up 425 yards of total offense (259 rushing) and preventing any QB sack in the 31-14 win over the Vols. At Starkville, he had three knockdown blocks and prevented any sack for the 4th straight game in the 28-14 triumph over the Bulldogs.
In the regular season-finale against 9th ranked LSU, he played in all 61 snaps, had a 95% grade on pass blocking, a knockdown block, and opened some holes for the Hog rushers who gained 298 yards (182 by McFadden and 137 by Jones) in the 26-31 upset defeat. In the SEC title game against Florida, Luigs had a team-high grade of 85%, including a perfect 100% clip in pass blocking and two knockdown blocks in the 28-38 loss to the Gators. At the Capital One Bowl, he had two knockdowns and helped the Hogs rush for 232 yards, including a career-high 150 yards from Jones in the 14-17 setback to Wisconsin. By the end of the season, Luigs has made a name for himself as one of the top centers in the nation as proven by his entry into the Rimington Award final list (one of two underclassmen among the 6 finalists). He also received several All-American honors after helping McFadden and Jones rush for over 1,000 yards, marking only the 3rd time in SEC history and the 38th time in NCAA history that a school had two 1,000-yard running backs in the same year. On top of that, McFadden was named as the recipient of the 2006 Doak Walker Award (nation's best RB) after rushing for 1,647 yards (117.6 ypg, 10th overall). For the season, Luigs was instrumental in helping the Hog rushers top the 100-yard mark 13 times in 14 games while allowing only 9 sacks (0.64 a game, #2 in the nation). He graded for a team-high 89.7 percent, including team-best clips of 85.1 percent in run blocking and 97.1 percent in pass blocking with a total of 4 knockdowns.
[edit] 2007
With his remarkable sophomore season, Luigs was considered as one of the players to watch entering his junior year. He opened the season against Troy and had two knockdown blocks, graded 84% on running plays and 90% on passing plays (86% overall), while helping the Razorbacks amass 350-yards on the ground (including 151 from McFadden and 129 from Jones) in the 46-26 victory over the Trojans. Against Bama, he put up a valiant effort in 78 snaps, grading out at a team-high 89% (84% running, 100% passing), contributing four knockdowns, and helping the Hogs rack up 301 rushing yards (195 from McFadden, 95 from Jones), although his efforts were still not enough as Arkansas got upset, 38-41. Against Kentucky, he missed two of the 78 total snaps due to injury but still came up with a team-high grade of 93% (100% pass block, 89% run block), with four knockdowns, while helping the Hogs gain a total of 495 yards (173 from McFadden, 133 from Jones) in the 29-42 loss to the Wildcats. Versus North Texas, Luigs played 59 snaps and graded 86% overall (95% passing plays, 81% rushing plays) with five knockdowns in the 66-7 win over the Mean Green. Against Chattanooga, Luigs played in 68 snaps and had a team-high six knockdown blocks, graded 91% (85% run blocking, 100% pass blocking) and helped the Hogs collect 373 yards of total offense, including 257 yards rushing in the 34-15 victory. In the 2-point loss to No.22 Auburn, he was named as the Hogwired.com Offensive Player of the Week after grading 90% including a perfect 100% grade in pass protection while playing in all 54 offensive snaps. In the 36-point win at Ole Miss, he bagged the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after grading at a team-high 90% (88% run blocking, 94% pass blocking), while recording two knockdowns and paving the way for another 100-yard rushing games from both McFadden and Jones. In the homecoming massacre of Florida International, Luigs shared the top-grade among starters (93%---100% pass blocking, 88% run blocking) and recorded four knockdowns while helping the Hogs' offensive outburst marked by 439 yards of total offense, 249 yards rushing, six scoring runs and one passing TD.
In the 48-36 upset win over the 23rd ranked Gamecocks, he helped the offense amass a whooping 542 yards rushing (SEC record-tying 321 yards from McFadden, career-high 166 yards from Jones) with his 92% run blocking grade to go with five knockdown blocks in 68 snaps. The 542 produced by the offense in that game was the second-most in UA history and the most team rushing yards by an SEC team in a conference game in league history, while the combined 487 yards of McFadden and Jones was a new NCAA record for rushing yards by teammates. At No.22 Tennessee, he was in on all 65 snaps and graded out at 89% (84% run blocking, 93% pass blocking) while helping McFadden rush for 117 yards in the 13-34 setback to the Vols. Against Mississippi State, he recorded a season-high eight knockdowns and graded 93% (93% on running plays, 94% on passing plays) in 62 snaps in the 45-31 win over the Bulldogs. In the regular-season finale at LSU, Luigs helped the Hogs upset the top-ranked Tigers in triple overtime by tallying six knockdown blocks and not allowing any sack to the LSU defense. The Razorbacks also gained 513 yards of total offense with 385 yards from the ground including 206 and 3 TDs from McFadden. In the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic against 7th ranked Missouri, he paved the way for McFadden's final 100-yard game (105 yards) in the collegiate level and recorded four knockdowns in the 7-38 defeat. He finished the year with a team-leading overall grade of 90.36 (86% running plays, 96.9% passing plays), 55 knockdown blocks (2nd on the team), and helped Arkansas pace the SEC and place 4th in the nation in rushing (286.5), 2nd in the SEC and 17th in the nation in total offense (450.0), and 3rd in the SEC and 13th in the country in scoring (37.3). The All-American tailback-duo of McFadden and Jones were also ranked in the top 5 in the league in rushing, with the former averaging 140.8 a game (1st-SEC, 4th-nation) and the latter averaging 89.4 an outing (5th-SEC, 43rd-nation).
He also took home numerous awards for his performance, including the prestigious Rimington Award and a share of the Jacobs Trophy (with Alabama’s Andre Smith). He also received first team All-American citations from Walter Camp and FWAA, among others.
[edit] Highlights
| Jonathan Luigs receives the 2007 Rimington Trophy. |
[edit] Achievements
[edit] 2008
- Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook Preseason All-SEC
- Collegefootballnews.com Preseason All-American Second Team
- Collegefootballnews.com Preseason All-SEC First Team
- Collegefootballnews.com's No.2 Preseason Center in the Nation
- CollegeFootballNews.com's No.14 Preseason Player in the SEC
- Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award watch list
- Phil Steele Midseason All-American Third Team
- Phil Steele Midseason All-SEC First Team
- Rimington Trophy Watch List
- SEC COaches/Media Preseason first team
[edit] 2007
- AP second-team All-American
- CBSSports.com first-team All-American
- CollegeFootballNews.com All-SEC Team
- CollegeFootballNews.com first-team All-American
- CollegeFootballNews.com's No.1 Offensive Lineman in the SEC
- CollegeFootballNews.com's No.6 Player in the SEC
- FWAA first-team All-American
- Jacobs Trophy (with Alabama’s Andre Smith) as the top blockers in the SEC
- Hogwired.com Offensive Player of the Week (vs. Auburn)
- Phil Steele first-team All-American
- Rimington Award
- Rivals first-team All-American
- SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (vs. Mississippi)
- The Sporting News first-team All-American
- Walter Camp first-team All-American
[edit] 2006
- All-SEC first team (coaches, AP)
- CollegeFootballNews.com first-team sophomore All-American
- Hogwired.com Offensive Player of the Week (vs. Alabama)
- Rimington Award Finalist
- SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (vs. Auburn)
- The Associated Press third-team All-American
[edit] 2005
- CollegeFootballNews.com second-team freshman All-American
- ESPN.com freshman All-American
- Football Writers Association of America freshman All-American
- Rivals second-team freshman All-American
- SEC Coaches All-Freshman team
- The Sporting News honorable mention All-American
