High school is the chance for students to start looking into what their goals are for their future and figuring out their plan to accomplish it. It just happens that Sophomore Luke Grimm has been reaching towards his education and athletic future since he was in elementary school on a football field, he just did not know it yet. This past summer, Luke has received a verbal offer from Iowa Northwestern college for the opportunity to play on their football team when he graduates.

Luke has been playing the game of football before he had hit double digits. Besides football, Luke has played basketball, track, and soccer but football has since been his sport of choice. His father, Todd Grimm, would say that his son enjoys the competitive aspect of the sport and that is why he believes that Luke keeps pushing to be his personal best in the game ever since he has started playing.

“Luke has been playing football for nine years. He started playing in first grade and played every year since except for fifth grade when he decided he wanted to play fall soccer. Luke loves competition no matter the sport, I believe that football has just a bit more of a risk factor and that motivates him,” said Todd Grimm.

In the late winter of this year, Luke was reached out by a coach at Iowa Northwestern to attend a camp they were holding in the summer. The camp was specifically for football players to work on different expertise of the game and how to improve them. What Luke did not know was that a few hours into the camp, it would be the beginning for Luke and his future as an athlete.

“In March of this year, Luke was invited by Coach McCarty of Iowa’s Northwestern College to attend their prospect camp in June. The camp lasted for six hours and covered agility skills, position skills, and full contact competition. After the completion of the camp, Coach Davis pulled us aside and stated that while it was very early in Luke’s recruiting process, Northwestern was very interested in having Luke as part of their team,” said Todd Grimm.

Luke and his family were thrilled at the massive offer and the door of opportunities Luke was now open to. Their reactions were all expressing the same excitement and happiness for the chance they were granted for all the years of hard work that the Grimms have put in for Luke’s future.

“It was crazy. It shocked me a lot about them asking me to join their team. My dad was really happy and my mom was super freaked out.” said Grimm.

As a parent, Todd Grimm had felt the joy of watching their son exceed in the thing they love. He has watched Luke over the years in multiple football games and practices, watching Luke grow as a player, so the news was as exciting as it was to his son.

“I was very proud of him. At that moment, he saw that all his effort could provide a path to open so many new doors. Moreover, his ear-to-ear smile was infectious.” said Todd Grimm

Luke did not put in less than 100% effort to get to where he is now, but he did not work as hard as he did solely on his own pursuit. His coaches throughout the years have contributed to the high level of skill Luke is at now and as well helped him stick to the goals he had set since he had started playing.

“They all just pushed me to do better and really just keeped me after practice and helping me with my fundamentals with catching and my footwork,” said Luke Grimm.

Luke’s family have been a tremendous support system for him and his football journey. His friends have equally added to the encouragement to reach Luke’s aspirations and some of those friends have played the same field with him throughout the years. Sophomore Payton Ball has been on Luke’s side for years now and is proud of where his best friend has landed himself.

“Luke has been working for a long time now to get where he is by working every day after practice and he is always getting involved for football,” said Ball.
All the focus on football has not only gotten Luke on Varsity as a sophomore as well as college looking into him for their team, but the sport has also taught him skills that he can utilize in the real world.
“Personal growth. Football has taught Luke about facing fears and overcoming them. The game of football and sports, in general, has helped mold him into one heck of a young man. The best thing he can do for now is focus on getting good grades and continuing to grow mentally, physically, and emotionally. All the other life rewards will come in due time,” said Todd Grimm.

As the year has progressed, Luke has made many accomplishments involving football. He is still looking over his options for college, but his sport of choice has given him a solid platform to stand on. Only future will tell where football where take him.