Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Five Questions with Luke Masterson
3/1/2022 10:22:00 AM | Football, Les Johns
“I’m a Deac for life, and I have a deep connection to the program for years to come.” - Luke Masterson
Luke Masterson just wrapped up his sixth and final year with Wake Forest Football, transitioning to linebacker where he led the team in tackles as they moved from 'Good to Great' with an 11-win season capped with a 38-10 Gator Bowl victory over Rutgers.
Masterson was twice named team captain, and finished his storied Wake Forest career with 218 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one interception. He led the Deacs in tackles in the Gator Bowl victory and recently won Hula Bowl Defensive MVP as he prepares for his professional career. Deacon Sports Xtra recently caught up with Masterson for this Five Questions feature.
What was your best moment at Wake Forest?
Masterson: "I don't know about the best moment, but most of my top moments come from this last year. Being named a captain both in 2020 and this year was a memorable event. I really took that to heart and felt honored to be elected a captain. The NC State game this year was one of the best moments that I've been a part of, just having the fans storm the field. The significance of that win was that it put us in a great position to play for the ACC Championship. Obviously playing in the ACC Championship was a great moment, although obviously it didn't finish the way we wanted. I've never been part of such an atmosphere like that. You could feel the energy from the fans. It was electric. It's hard to pin it on one moment, but this season had a ton of those moments."
How was the position switch from safety to linebacker?
Masterson: "I'm thrilled that it happened. I always believe that things happen for a reason. Switching between the two positions throughout my career helped me this year, because I was able to use cover skills that I used at safety. I was able to know what was going on behind me and beside me in the secondary. All that stuff I experienced at safety and other positions helped me this year at linebacker. Obviously, I feel most comfortable at linebacker and it gave me the opportunity to play my best football."
What were you able to accomplish off the field during your time at Wake Forest?
Masterson: "I double majored in economics and communications, with a minor in entrepreneurship. Then I finished my master's in sustainability this year. I'm always open to new things and new opportunities, but opening my own business is something I'd be interested in. I've always had an interest in wealth management, and working with athletes, especially with all the connections I'm making throughout my athletic career. I like helping people too, so that would be a good combination."
How connected do you plan on being to the program moving forward?
Masterson: "I'd like to come up for the spring game and to as many games as I can, depending on what I'm doing. I'll be watching all of them. I'm a Deac for life, and I have a deep connection to the program for years to come. That's one of the positives to being a six-year guy. I'm going to know players for many years to come. It's going to be fun to watch and see guys who joined this year and see how they grow."
Did you imagine the 'Good to Great' motto coming to fruition the way it did this season?
Masterson: "That was one of the main reasons I came back. I really did believe we had the talent and leadership on the team to make that happen. I said this in my senior speech to the team. It was easy to buy into that 'Good to Great' motto during winter workouts and during spring ball, and even the summer. The season wasn't anywhere close. It was easy to say, but then as we got closer, went to ACC Media Day and kind of put it out there, it became more real.
"You realized we had to back it up or we would have looked dumb. Good to Great was such a bold motto for the year. If you came out and just won five-or-six games, it would have looked dumb. The pressure was definitely on, but behind all of that the core belief we had as a team to do it was there. It wouldn't have happened if guys didn't completely buy in. From the first team meeting where we introduced that motto, guys bought into it. It was the best offseason workouts, best spring ball and best camp I've ever been part of and it all helped us accomplish that. We all knew what every game meant. You couldn't waste a game or take a day off. They all mattered."
Masterson was twice named team captain, and finished his storied Wake Forest career with 218 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one interception. He led the Deacs in tackles in the Gator Bowl victory and recently won Hula Bowl Defensive MVP as he prepares for his professional career. Deacon Sports Xtra recently caught up with Masterson for this Five Questions feature.
What was your best moment at Wake Forest?
Masterson: "I don't know about the best moment, but most of my top moments come from this last year. Being named a captain both in 2020 and this year was a memorable event. I really took that to heart and felt honored to be elected a captain. The NC State game this year was one of the best moments that I've been a part of, just having the fans storm the field. The significance of that win was that it put us in a great position to play for the ACC Championship. Obviously playing in the ACC Championship was a great moment, although obviously it didn't finish the way we wanted. I've never been part of such an atmosphere like that. You could feel the energy from the fans. It was electric. It's hard to pin it on one moment, but this season had a ton of those moments."
How was the position switch from safety to linebacker?
Masterson: "I'm thrilled that it happened. I always believe that things happen for a reason. Switching between the two positions throughout my career helped me this year, because I was able to use cover skills that I used at safety. I was able to know what was going on behind me and beside me in the secondary. All that stuff I experienced at safety and other positions helped me this year at linebacker. Obviously, I feel most comfortable at linebacker and it gave me the opportunity to play my best football."
What were you able to accomplish off the field during your time at Wake Forest?
Masterson: "I double majored in economics and communications, with a minor in entrepreneurship. Then I finished my master's in sustainability this year. I'm always open to new things and new opportunities, but opening my own business is something I'd be interested in. I've always had an interest in wealth management, and working with athletes, especially with all the connections I'm making throughout my athletic career. I like helping people too, so that would be a good combination."
How connected do you plan on being to the program moving forward?
Masterson: "I'd like to come up for the spring game and to as many games as I can, depending on what I'm doing. I'll be watching all of them. I'm a Deac for life, and I have a deep connection to the program for years to come. That's one of the positives to being a six-year guy. I'm going to know players for many years to come. It's going to be fun to watch and see guys who joined this year and see how they grow."
Did you imagine the 'Good to Great' motto coming to fruition the way it did this season?
Masterson: "That was one of the main reasons I came back. I really did believe we had the talent and leadership on the team to make that happen. I said this in my senior speech to the team. It was easy to buy into that 'Good to Great' motto during winter workouts and during spring ball, and even the summer. The season wasn't anywhere close. It was easy to say, but then as we got closer, went to ACC Media Day and kind of put it out there, it became more real.
"You realized we had to back it up or we would have looked dumb. Good to Great was such a bold motto for the year. If you came out and just won five-or-six games, it would have looked dumb. The pressure was definitely on, but behind all of that the core belief we had as a team to do it was there. It wouldn't have happened if guys didn't completely buy in. From the first team meeting where we introduced that motto, guys bought into it. It was the best offseason workouts, best spring ball and best camp I've ever been part of and it all helped us accomplish that. We all knew what every game meant. You couldn't waste a game or take a day off. They all mattered."
Players Mentioned
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