Hall of Fame
Position: Linebacker
Years: 2009-11
Place of Birth: Cincinnati, OH
Date of Birth: April 20, 1991
Jersey Number: 40
Height: 6-3
Weight: 238
High School: St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH)
Possessing a powerful combination of size, speed and football intellect, Luke Kuechly "looked like Clark Kent and played like Superman." He amassed the second-most career tackles in the NCAA record books, becoming the most decorated defensive player in Boston College history. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native now becomes the eighth Eagles player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
A two-time First Team All-American, unanimous in 2010 and consensus in 2011, Kuechly made a "clean sweep" of national defensive honors in 2011, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy after leading all collegiate football players in tackles (191) and solo tackles (102). In 2010, Kuechly also led the nation in tackles with 183, including 110 solo tackles. In 2009, he was named a Freshman All-American by the FWAA and registered 158 tackles, including 87 solo tackles. His combined three-year total gave him 532 career total tackles, which ranks second in NCAA history. His 14.0 total tackles per game places him No. 1 in NCAA history, and his 7.87 solo tackles per game rank second in NCAA annals.
Kuechly's efforts helped the Eagles secure two bowl appearances, the 2009 Emerald Bowl against Southern California and the 2010 Fight Hunger Bowl against Nevada. Despite losses in both games, Kuechly earned Defensive MVP honors in each.
The 2011 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Kuechly was a three-time First Team All-ACC selection and the 2009 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He led the conference in tackles per game in each of his three seasons. The 2011 team captain and MVP finished his career as BC's all-time leader in career tackles (532), career solo tackles (299) and single-season tackles (191 in 2011). He recorded at least 10 tackles in 34-of-38 career games, including a streak of 33-straight games. He ranks third all-time at BC with 44 career tackles for loss. He finished his career with three sacks, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 10 pass breakups.
Drafted No. 9 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by Carolina, Kuechly played for the Panthers his entire career from 2012-19, earning five Pro Bowl selections and starting in Super Bowl 50 for the franchise. He was named the 2012 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2013 AP and TSN Defensive Player of the Year.
Kuechly was selected as a member of the FWAA's 75th Anniversary Team in 2015, and Boston College retired his jersey in 2016.
He currently works as a commentator on the Carolina Panthers radio broadcast team, and he assists with the D.J. Moore Pro Camp. A brand ambassador for Q-Collar, a medical device designed to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury, Kuechly participated in the NFF's Future for Football campaign in 2022, highlighting the cutting-edge technology that is making the sport safer.