Throwback Thursday: Luke Staley

It’s been 13 years since the best running back in BYU history left school early to pursue an NFL career. While numerous knee and ankle injuries derailed the career of Luke Staley from proving his worth in the NFL, the saddest part of all of this is how distant BYU and Staley have become from each other.

Staley’s junior season (2001) at BYU was unbelievable, especially by BYU running back standards. BYU is not known to produce elite level athletes at the running back position, but Staley was something special. Look at his stats from that season in which he played in 11 games: 1,582 yards and 24 touchdowns, both school records. 143.8 yards per game. The most impressive stat may be the 8.1 yards per carry average. Imagine if he had played in all 14 games?

Since the Doak Walker award (best running back in college football) was introduced in 1990, the only winner to have a higher yards per carry average was USC’s Reggie Bush.  Staley’s magical 2001 season was capped off with winning the 2001 Doak Walker Award despite suffering a season-ending knee injury against Mississippi State two weeks prior.

I was only nine years old during Staley’s final season, but seeing Staley run down the sidelines in Cougar blue are some of my favorite memories of BYU football.

One of the more memorable games was the home-finale against Utah that season. BYU entered the game 10-0, ranked number #8 in the country and had hopes of a Fiesta Bowl appearance at season’s end with representatives from that game in attendance. Utah was pretty good as well in their own right, entering the game at 7-2. Utah led for most of the game, but a pair of Staley touchdowns in the final three and a half minutes gave the Cougars a thrilling 24-21 victory. The iconic moment of the game was an option pitch from quarterback Brandon Doman to Staley that Luke eventually took thirty yards to the house, finishing it off with an elegant high step we grew to love from the man they called LUUUUUUKE.

Many people to this day say that was the loudest game they have ever attended at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

A few months ago on twitter, there was a lot of conversation about how well BYU was doing in keeping alumni close to the program. Many feel as though BYU can improve in keeping prominent alumni in its inner circle. Since he left BYU in 2001, Staley has been very distant from the program. Former BYU linebacker and Lawless Republic coleague, Derik Stevenson mentioned on twitter a few months back that he saw Staley rocking a Ute hoodie at a gym. It’s useless and unnecessary to speculate why this is the case, but BYU needs Luke Staley back in the fold. Staley still loves BYU, as evidenced by this tweet, but still has something he still wants to work out with BYU.

Whatever the case may be, BYU fans can make Luke feel the love and do their part to make him feel included. Staley is one of the best football players in BYU history, and would be a huge asset to have back in the program for a variety of reasons.

I cannot wait for the day when Luke Staley is back on the field at LES and has his name announced to the crowd with BYU fans in LES cheering him on.  Whether that day is this season or in the coming seasons, I fully believe it will happen. The fans want it, BYU needs it, and most of all, Luke Staley deserves it.