MARSHFIELD — After signing with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in May, fullback Hunter Luepke has survived cutdown day, and has earned a spot on the opening-day, 53-man roster.

The former Spencer/Columbus football standout is a fullback out of North Dakota State University, where he was a member of two national championship teams in 2019 and 2021.

In the Cowboys’ preseason finale, Luepke had 15 carries for 58 yards and five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown, in a 31-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The 2018 graduate of Spencer High School was a four-year starter and two-year captain for Spencer/Columbus Catholic under Head 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.

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.

Hunter Luepke is the first player out of Spencer to make it to the NFL since Ted Fritsch, who played in 99 games for the Green Bay Packers from 1942-50. The football field at Spencer High School is named in Fritsch’s honor.