Luke Schoonmaker

Luke Schoonmaker's Biography

Luke Schoonmaker, whose name is pronounced as SKOON-may-kər, is a professional American football tight end who was born on September 28, 1998. He made his mark in the National Football League (NFL) as a player for the Dallas Cowboys. Before becoming a pro, he honed his skills in the sport by playing college football at the University of Michigan. His promising talent was recognized during the 2023 NFL draft when the Cowboys selected him in the second round.

Born and raised in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, Luke spent his early life developing his athletic abilities and passion for football. He attended Xavier High School, where he played alongside future NFL quarterback Will Levis. Wanting to broaden his experience and skills, he transferred to Hamden Hall Country Day School after finishing his sophomore year.

Facing challenges head-on became a part of Luke’s journey to success during his junior year when he was diagnosed with mononucleosis and suffered a spleen rupture. This health crisis caused him to miss several games and prompted him to repeat the year. However, he bounced back the next season, becoming the team’s starting quarterback and leading them to an 11-0 record, culminating in winning the NEPSAC Mike Atkins Bowl. He also showcased his versatility by playing some offensive snaps at the tight end position.

During his fifth year of senior school, Luke completed 18 passes, caught 22 passes, and carried out 34 rushing attempts, contributing an impressive total of 851 yards in combined passing, receiving, and rushing yards. As the highest-rated player in Connecticut, he committed to playing college football at the renowned University of Michigan.

Embracing his college years from 2018 to 2022, Luke played for the Michigan Wolverines. He started his collegiate career as a freshman in 2018, earning his first varsity letter after appearing in one game as a backup tight end. The following year was a season of growth for him as he appeared in 10 games and served as the fourth tight end in 9 contests behind his teammates Sean McKeon, Nick Eubanks, and Erick All. His sophomore year marked Luke’s career’s first touchdown from a 25-yard pass thrown by Shea Patterson.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Luke’s junior year in 2020 was limited to just six games. Despite those challenges, he played all six games as a third-string tight end but failed to register any offensive stats. In 2021, he showed resilience and improvement during his senior year. He played in nine games, starting ten, and played a crucial part in the team’s offense that won the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s top offensive line.

He finished the season with 17 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns, earning a reputation as Michigan’s most reliable blocking tight end. This recognition led to him receiving honorable mention in All-Big Ten honors.

In 2022, he seized the opportunity to become the main tight end for the team after an injury sidelined his teammate Erick All, culminating in a triumphant season with 35 receptions, 418 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. This impressive performance helped his team win the Joe Moore Award for the second consecutive year.

Honoring his collegiate accomplishments, Luke accepted an invitation to the East–West Shrine Bowl in December 2022. In early 2023, he announced that he would leave college football to declare for the 2023 NFL draft.

This new chapter of his career saw Luke being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round, 58th overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft. His rookie year in the NFL was a promising one, as he managed to score his first NFL touchdown in just the second week against the Jets. He diligently appeared in all 17 games of the season, finishing with eight receptions for 65 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite all the odds he faced, Luke Schoonmaker has clearly proven his gift for football, steadily rising from a college football player to a professional in the National Football League, embodying the essence of perseverance and commitment to excellence. His sporting journey is a beacon of inspiration challenging all football enthusiasts to never let setbacks deter their progress in achieving their dreams.