Deacon Sports Xtra: Masterson Makes Most of Opportunity at Hula Bowl

Deacon Sports Xtra: Masterson Makes Most of Opportunity at Hula Bowl

1/25/2022 11:49:00 AM | Football, Les Johns

“I tried to take every day and every practice like it was a job interview. I had a great time. The coaching staff were great guys with a lot of experience. The whole week was extremely enjoyable.” - Luke Masterson

By: Les Johns

In the first day of Hula Bowl practice, in the first 10 minutes — precisely four reps into walk-throughs, Wake Forest linebacker Luke Masterson collided with a tight end.

Both ended up in the hospital, putting an abrupt end to their first day of workouts in front of NFL scouts.

"We were doing a walk through," Masterson said. "It was my fourth rep. The tight end was coming across the middle and I was running to my right and didn't see him. We smashed heads.

"We both had to go to the hospital. I got stitches above my eye and his lip had to get stitched up. We both ended up missing the first day. I was disappointed to not be out there for the first day. You're amped up to get out there and show what you can do. I was bummed out to not be out there, but was happy it wasn't too serious."

It all worked out in the end for Masterson, who turned heads in a positive way by earning Defensive Most Valuable Player in the game.

"The whole week was incredible," he said. "Shoutout to the Hula Bowl. They put on a great event. Everything was super organized and well put together. It just gave myself and the other guys to show what we can do in front of scouts. We could talk to scouts one-on-one, so they can get to know us and we can get to know them.

"It was a great opportunity and basically a week-long job interview. I tried to take every day and every practice like it was a job interview. I had a great time. The coaching staff were great guys with a lot of experience. The whole week was extremely enjoyable."

Masterson was appreciative of the interaction with NFL scouts during the week.

"Some of the feedback was more in the one-on-one interviews — just technique and different stuff I can work on in my game," he said. "But most of the job interview was in the practices and the game, when scouts were lined up on the sideline. There wasn't much talking. You had to perform and show what you could do. All of us were out there giving our best and showing what we can do."

He's going to be close to home the next few months training at X3 Performance in Fort Myers, Florida.

"We have a great facility there and I'm working out with a bunch of great guys," Masterson said. "There are plenty of linebackers and running backs, so we can do a lot of skill work in addition to the combine stuff. I'm up there every day, all day, just trying to work on my 40 and my bench, but also getting work on my coverage skills and block disruption. I'm taking it day-by-day, trying to improve both my weaknesses as well as my strengths. It's fun and a lot of work. It's a great journey."

As a sixth-year senior, Masterson was thrilled to finish the 2021 season with the 38-10 Gator Bowl victory over Rutgers, which gave the Demon Deacons 11 victories — tied for the most wins in a season with the 2006 ACC Championship team.

"It was super-important," Masterson said. "The way this year went, it was a great year and we did well. I think it would have felt incomplete if it had ended with the ACC Championship game loss. Being able to send the seniors out the right way and finish our memorable season the right way was important.

"All of us will remember this season for the right way now. We will remember tying the record for most wins in a season and taking the next step as a program. It was huge."

Masterson, who led the Deacs in tackles in 2021, is still in daily contact with his teammates as they gear up for the 2022 campaign — starting with the aWakening and spring camp.

"I'm talking daily to a lot of guys," Masterson said. "Most of the linebackers — (Ryan) Smenda, Chase Jones. Nick Andersen, my brother (Christian Masterson), Sam (Hartman) — just a ton of guys. I got super close with all those guys and love keeping up with them as they get ready to start the aWakening. I've been through all that, so it's fun living through their shoes right now.

"They only got about a week break. It's shorter than usual, but I know they're all excited to get back to work."