Where are they now? Luke Braden

Growing up in a Texas A&M family, Luke Braden has always had his eye on attending the prestigious school in College Station, but actually playing for the Aggie football program and getting to spend Saturdays in the fall on the sideline of Kyle Field was a definite dream.

Braden made that dream a very grounded reality in the spring when he took it upon himself to try out and earn a roster spot as a walk-on for head coach Mike Elko.

Braden was a force at tight end and linebacker for the tradition-rich Stratford Elks playing a huge role in the program’s fourth UIL state championship in 2021.

Braden was an All-State player, a District Defensive MVP as well as a state qualifier in high jump on the track. Standing at 6-foot-5 with plenty of versatility, Braden had many opportunities to play at the next level, however, Braden’s sole focus was going to school at Texas A&M.

“I’ve always wanted to go to school at Texas A&M,” Braden said. “Both my parents graduated from there and I love the Aggies. There were schools that offered me but there wasn’t any other place I’d rather be than College Station.”

Heading in as a freshman last fall, Braden took time off of football but never lost the itch. He continued to grow and train going from 195-pounds to an eye-opening 250 by the spring. In the best shape of his life and the eagerness to jump back into pads, Braden decided to try out and land a walk-on spot for the Aggies.

“I missed playing football,” Braden said. “I didn’t want any regrets in my future, so a week before spring break I decided to try out. I went through conditioning drills, then got a call that I landed a spot as a walk-on. I can’t explain how excited I was. It’s an honor to be a part of the Texas A&M football team and get to experience college football.”

Braden exemplifies the 12th man mystique that the Aggie tradition boasts. He’s as hard working as they come and an ultimate teammate.

“Luke is all American kid if there was one,” said Stratford head coach John Murphy, who was an assistant during Luke’s time with the Elks. “Luke is as hard working as they come, and his family is a big reason why. They are a part of everything in Stratford and Luke embraces that. Luke is just a pleasant young man to be around. He’s been a ball boy when he was younger, and in junior high he just wanted to be on the sidelines and help. He’s just an amazing young man.”

Braden’s former head coach at Stratford and now Canyon offensive coordinator, Matt Lovorn, is thrilled for his former player and wasn’t shocked he made the roster.

“The fact that Luke decided to try out for the Texas A&M football team did surprise me a little,” Lovorn said. “The fact that he made the team, though, didn’t surprise me. It also doesn’t surprise anyone who knows Luke and the type of young man he is. If you know his parents, Kevin and Heather, you can understand quickly why Luke has been able to achieve so much. He’s been raised to set his goals high and knows how to reach those goals.

“I have loved getting to watch Luke grow up from his days of being an elementary ball boy on the Stratford sidelines, to eventually becoming an All-State athlete in multiple sports. Not to mention graduating in top of his class. His high school accomplishments were so awesome to watch, but he also knows he’s got so much more to achieve. I’m extremely proud of Luke and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”

Being a walk-on on a very stacked roster full of scholarship players, Braden understands his role and knows playing time will be extremely difficult. He knows reps in practices are going to be challenging, but that doesn’t bother the 19-year-old. Braden is grateful for this opportunity and will do anything he can to make the program and his team better.

“I want to be a great teammate and just have a role,” Braden said. “I just want to make other guys better. Wearing the Texas A&M jersey is awesome to me. It’s something I never knew would happen. If I have an opportunity to make an impact or play, I’ll take it but I’m going at it one day at a time and I love being a part of this.”