Kelan Luker - never was college QB material

[MrMustang1965]

By TIM MacMAHON / The Dallas Morning News


Kelan Luker bought his first guitar just before he left Stephenville for SMU. He figured he'd learn how to play in the little bit of free time allowed by his schedule, which was filled with football and classes.

"It was painful on the ears for the first six months or so," older brother Seth said.

But the former quarterback proved to be a quick study as a musician. It wasn't long before Kelan was invited to join a band managed by his brother.

The band, Submersed, is still going strong. Almost 50,000 copies of its debut album, In Due Time, recorded in January 2003, have been sold. The single "Hollow" is No. 20 on the active rock chart. The band, for which Luker plays bass and helps write songs, is in the midst of its third tour.

"I love it," Luker said from a hotel room in Fayetteville, Ark. "It's a pretty simple life. It's definitely easier than playing football. It doesn't require waking up at 6 in the morning and watching film all day."

Luker, who started three games as a sophomore in 2001, balanced football and music when the band was primarily playing at local clubs. He was forced to make a decision between the two when Wind-Up Records offered to sign Submersed during the summer of 2002.

Not much had gone right for Luker in football after a record-setting high school career that culminated with Stephenville winning the Class 4A Division II title in 1998.

Offensive coordinator Greg Briner, who Luker connected with during the recruiting process, was fired after Luker's freshman season. Luker's laidback personality clashed with the demanding style of Briner's replacement, Larry Kueck.

And Luker didn't come close to duplicating the on-field success he enjoyed at Stephenville. He finished his college career with 786 yards, three touchdowns and seven interceptions on 76-of-167 passing.

A neck injury suffered during the 2002 spring game was the sign Luker said he needed to commit himself to the band.


"That definitely helped me out with my decision," Luker said.

It certainly didn't ease the worried mind of Luker's father, Alan, an assistant high school football coach who urged his younger son to stick it out at SMU.

"He was giving up an education at SMU to go off into the dangerous world of music," Alan Luker said. "I just didn't think it was a very good move at the time."

Alan is happy to admit he was wrong. He is enjoying Submersed's success, recently rocking along with a crowd of about 20,000 fans at a show in San Antonio.

When he's not on the road, Kelan often stops by Early High in central Texas to see his dad and work with the school's quarterbacks. He said he misses playing quarterback but not college football.

Rocking has replaced football as Luker's passion. But he said the rush of taking the stage in a packed house isn't the same feeling he used to get while calling signals in a full stadium.

"It doesn't really compare," said Luker, who brings a football to toss around while on tour. "It's not as competitive. Your energy doesn't get pushed to that level – and you're not going to get hit in the head every few minutes."

Luker's headbanging days, however, are far from over.

[mavsrage311]

This is reallly funny...I was up late last night watching MTV and saw a commercial for the band "submersed." I thought, wow another up-and-comer. But I was shocked when I opened up the DMN just now and realized it's Kelan Luker's band!!!!!!! I'm happy for Kelan, I thought the band he joined would never amount to anything. I can't say I would walk away from a free SMU education, and I hate to say it....but maybe he made the right choice

[tmustangp]

Mr. Mustang1965...

you have no idea what the heck your talking about...

the only thing luker didn't have was height... I was on the team with him and he had just as strong of an arm as page and mccown, he just didn't choose to throw his hardest every damn time like mccown did. the article hit it right on the nose, he and kueck hated each other, hell most of the team disliked kueck. he was a smokin and cussin $%^hole. his offense was so confusing that a future nfl starter led the ncaa in interceptions.

I know you are allowed ur opinion but I thought i would just give you a little insight

[MrMustang1965]

I was basing my opinion on Luker's comments in the article:

"I love it," Luker said from a hotel room in Fayetteville, Ark. "It's a pretty simple life. It's definitely easier than playing football. It doesn't require waking up at 6 in the morning and watching film all day."...He said he misses playing quarterback but not college football.

Playing college football (or football at any level: high school, college, professional) requires COMMITMENT! I just don't think Luker was committed to playing it at the level that was required of him.

I wish him all the success in the world as a musician which isn't easy, either.