Luepke signs with Cowboys
FOR HUB CITY TIMES
Former Spencer/Columbus football standout Hunter Luepke is signing a free agent contract with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Multiple sources reported the signing moments after the annual NFL draft concluded April 29 in Kansas City. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was the first to do so.
Luepke is a fullback out of North Dakota State University, where he was a member of two national championship teams in 2019 and 2021. Voted the 2021 championship game’s Most Outstanding Player, Luepke matched his career high in touchdowns with three rushing scores in the opening half to lead the way for the Bison, as they rolled over No. 8 seed Montana State, 38-10.
The 2018 graduate of Spencer High School was a four-year starter and two-year captain for Spencer/Columbus Catholic under coach, Jason Gorst. He played running back, linebacker, defensive end, and returned kicks. He was a three-time all-conference first team running back, and finished his high school football career with more than 4,400 yards rushing and 82 rushing touchdowns. During his sophomore season, the Rockets reached the 2015 WIAA Division 5 State Championship, losing to Amherst, 42-0. Coincidentally, should Luepke make the cut, he would become a teammate of Tyler Biadasz, a member of the Amherst team that beat Luepke’s Rockets in the state title contest.
Hunter was also a two-time WIAA state wrestling champion.
At NDSU, Luepke rushed for 1,663 yards on 274 carries and 24 touchdowns. He also caught 38 passes for 494 yards and nine scores.