Luke Metz, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound four-star linebacker, committed to the University of Alabama under new head coach Karen DeBoer in March. After 33 Division I offers, including Duke, LSU, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Michigan State and Ole Miss, Mets found his home in Alabama's 2025 class.
Gwinnett County's Mill Creek High School junior has deep roots in Habersham County.
Deeply rooted in Habersham
Luke's great-grandparents are Albert and Fannie London (both deceased) of Demorest, his grandparents are John (deceased) and Shirell Whiting of Demorest, and his mother Joyelle Whiting (born 1993 in Habersham).・Central graduate).
Luke not only has fond memories of spending many summers with Nanny in Demorest, tubing in Helen, eating at Clarksville Square, and even fishing at Habersham Mills Lake. I feel like I'm part of a community.
Luke talks about how much he loves visiting his “nanny” in Habersham and how important his family is to him.
His father, Delbert “D” Metz, grew up in Lithia Springs but frequently visited the North Georgia Mountains for camping, hunting, and fishing in his youth. Joyel and D moved to Gwinnett in 2005 to facilitate commuting for D, who is employed in Atlanta.
“They have always supported me and played a huge role in my life,” Luke said.
The youngest of three children, Luke fell in love with football from an early age.
“I started playing when I was 6 years old, and I knew I was going to be a special player because I played harder than other kids my age and was a little bigger and faster from a young age. I always thought that,” Luke explained.
Roll Tide…
His mother, Joyelle, says Luke's beginnings were even earlier. “When Luke was two years old, his older brother made him throw a soccer ball in the garden.”
Joyel said Luke showed a love for the physicality of football from the start, quickly developing a working knowledge of other positions and having a knack for anticipating opponent play and where the ball would go.
“If he wasn’t playing football, I would ask him to review game film,” Joyel added.
Despite his entire family being Georgia fans, Luke was passionate about Alabama football and always said he was going to make his mom and dad scream “Roll Tide” one day. “We first said those words when we stood on the Alabama practice field in March and Luke made his verbal commitment to the Alabama coaches,” Joyel laughed.
Although there has been a lot of publicity and notoriety, Luke wants to use this as a platform to encourage young people that “no dream is impossible if you are willing to work hard,” Joyel continued.
“I definitely just keep my head level, know where I want to go and where I'm at right now, and just tell myself to keep working toward the end goal, which is the NFL,” Luke admitted. Ta.
The biggest influence in his life was God. He gives all praise to God for giving him that opportunity. Luke wants to be able to influence and help others, which he said inspires his drive to work hard and succeed in football. .
Ten years later, Luke wants to play in the NFL. In the meantime, he believes the University of Alabama is the right environment for him.
dream life
“I've always been an Alabama fan. The coaching style and fit is great for me,” Luke added.
When asked if he was Livin' the Dream, Luke replied: However, there is still much to accomplish. I'm really looking forward to the future. ”
