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Hunter Luekpe Describes Himself in One Word

Originally posted on FanNation Cowboy Maven
By Adam Schultz | Last updated 9/1/23

Every offseason, there are stories of players coming from nowhere to make the 53-man roster. The Dallas Cowboys had the likes of DeMarvion Overshown, Eric Scott Jr., and Jalen Brooks show promise. Now Hunter Luepke is the latest flavor of the month.

After barely being sighted in Dallas' first two preseason games, Luepke got an increased workload against the Las Vegas Raiders ... and he grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

Luepke would finish his roster audition with 58 rushing yards on 15 carries and hauled in five receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown to all but secure his spot on the 53-man roster.

But while Luepke put it all on the line, he knows the brutal nature of the NFL.

“I felt really good after the [Raiders] game,” Luepke said. “I thought I did pretty well, but you know, there’s always stuff you can work on. This is a business, anything can happen, so I remained optimistic the whole time. Everything worked out the way they were supposed to, in my opinion.”

With the Cowboys moving on from Ezekiel Elliott, there was a thought Dallas was missing that "power back" for short-yardage situations, despite Tony Pollard being 6-0, 209, so he isn't exactly "small."

But in Luekpe, the Cowboys might have found their bruiser to complement the running back room.

Coach Mike McCarthy is making comparisons between Luekpe and former Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn.

Kuhn was a 6-0, 250-pound back (Luepke is 6-1 and 240) whom McCarthy often used in short-yardage situations. He was a constant source of production for the Packers in the run game and on special teams for nine years, and McCarthy sees similar traits in Luepke.

"John Kuhn is an excellent comparable ... Hunter (Luepke) has those skills," McCarthy said. "His versatility is what we're excited about. The protection part he has picked up as a rookie very well. Then there's a lot of high special teams value when you have a guy like John that can be a staple over there for four, five years, I see Hunter in the same light."

While McCarthy is comparing Luepke to a former Packer, when the former Bison star was asked about his running style, he had a very pointed answer.

“Physical," he said.

As McCarthy has a want to run the ball more as he gets the situational side of the offense solidified, the Kuhn-like ability of Luepke could become very useful as the Cowboys look to end their infamous NFC Championship drought.

There are still some who doubt Dallas' ability to run the football without a power back, but Luekpe is going to bring all the physicality needed for the Cowboys when they meet the New York Giants to open their season at MetLife Stadium on September 10.