Two-and-a-half years ago, Luke Hutchinson came into D1 Training as a high school sophomore with college football dreams but very little time spent on the field.

Today, Luke is committed to play tight end at Mississippi State. How did Luke go from an unconfident player to a scholarship offer from an SEC school? Luke, his parents and his D1 West Nashville coach Kenan Smith recently sat down with D1 to share their journey. Watch the full interview here:

It Starts With Speed

At first, coach Kenan focused on improving Luke's speed. “The guys that are getting recruited are standouts in athleticism in speed,” Kenan says.

And as his speed began improving, Luke started getting a boost in confidence.

“It kind of lit a spark in me. That spark created a fire,” Luke said. "If I kept grinding, I knew I could achieve it.

On top of the athletic achievements he accomplished at D1, Luke built a special bond with Coach Kenan.

“With his resume and all that he's done, I knew would I get more out of it training with him than I would anywhere else," Luke said.

‘It Just Clicked In Him’

For Coach Kenan, building that relationship was easy.

“He came in with a work ethic that he wanted to do this. And he worked really hard," Kenan said. “Some kids come in and you have to force it out of them some days. I never had to do that with him.”

There's one special moment in Kenan's mind that encapsulates Luke's work ethic.

“He did a box jump, and he looked at me. I was like ‘yeah, you just did that.' It was a 48-inch box and the first time he ever did it,” Smith said. “I think that day it just clicked in him that, ”Hey, I can continue to do these things."

Intensity Led To Transformation

For Luke's parents, Steve and Landyn, Luke's transformation from D1 has helped him in every aspect of life.

Steve is a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman and said D1's prepared his son for the intensity of college football.

“I know what it's supposed to look like and taste like and smell like. But I can't flip that switch on for him,” he said. “There's plenty of ways to half-ass a workout. But he kept coming back from his workouts spent. That's the only way he's going to get better.”

For Landyn, a lifestyle influencer, the greatest accomplishment came in the changes she saw in her son.

“I'm just really proud of his confidence and how he's carried himself,” Landyn said. “I watch him and his stature. All the way around, I'm so proud to be his mom. He's really proven himself in here."

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