About Luke

Luke Kandra, a towering offensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bearcats, has become a force to be reckoned with on the field. A graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kandra’s journey has been marked by dedication, resilience, and the support of a close-knit family rooted deeply in sports. Standing 6′-4″ and weighing over 300 pounds, Kandra’s dominance at the line of scrimmage has earned him accolades throughout his career. A key player during his time at Elder, Kandra helped lead the team to a memorable state run in 2019, and his talents earned him a spot on the University of Cincinnati’s roster after transferring from Louisville.

In his first season with the Bearcats in 2023, Kandra quickly made his mark, earning Second Team All-America honors from Walter Camp, Third Team accolades from the Associated Press, and First Team All-Big 12 recognition. His impressive performance ranked him as the nation’s third-best Power Five guard with an 81.8 grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Kandra started all 12 games at right guard and logged an incredible 895 snaps—the third-most of any guard in the country. His 82.1 run-blocking grade was the second-best among Power Five guards, and his blocking helped the Bearcats rank fifth in the nation in rushing yards, with 217.1 yards per game.

But Kandra’s contributions didn’t end there. His leadership on the offensive line helped Cincinnati rack up 200+ rushing yards in nine games, including standout performances against Miami (Ohio) and Baylor. His disciplined play yielded zero penalties and only two sacks all season, a testament to his consistency and focus. His blocking efforts also paved the way for running back Corey Kiner to become the 20th Bearcat to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.

Before joining Cincinnati, Kandra was a two-year lettered athlete at Louisville, where he played in 21 games and contributed to an offensive line that ranked second in the ACC for rushing yards per game in 2022. At Elder, Kandra earned All-Ohio honors and helped lead his team to a runner-up finish in the 2019 Ohio Division I state championship.

Off the field, Kandra is known for his humility and dedication to his family. His brothers—Spencer, Collin, and Evan—all share a love of football, with each one having played at the collegiate level, creating a deeply rooted bond through sports. But beyond his athletic prowess, it’s Kandra’s character that stands out. As he continues to dominate the college ranks, those closest to him, including family, teammates, and coaches, highlight his unwavering humility and love for his roots.

To gain deeper insight into the person behind the athlete, I sat down with several people who have seen Luke grow both on and off the field. These interviews include his older brother Spencer Kandra, his former teammate Tommy Thamann, and his high school coach Craig James. Through their stories, we gain a glimpse of the heart and soul of the man behind the pads.

The Brotherly Bond

According to Spencer Kandra, Luke’s older brother, the signs of Luke’s athletic future were apparent from a young age. Growing up in a competitive household with three brothers, sports were a constant. “We always played tackle football, basketball—you name it—and Luke was always my teammate,” Spencer shared, reflecting on their childhood.

Luke, the youngest of the Kandra brothers, grew up alongside his twin, Collin, who played football at Mount Saint Joseph University, Spencer also played there, while their oldest brother, Evan, played at Thomas More University. Despite being highly competitive, Spencer described Luke as “the most loving” of the brothers. Even with Luke’s rise to becoming a college football star, Spencer emphasized how Luke still holds tight to his family connections. “He’s still my brother, not just an athlete. We still play Xbox together, and I can always just say, ‘Hey, do you want to hang out?” When asked if Luke had a soft side beneath his tough exterior, Spencer was quick to confirm. “He is as soft as a teddy bear. He’s one of the humblest people I know.”

Regarding Luke’s decision to transfer to the University of Cincinnati, Spencer mentioned that, while they don’t see each other much during the season due to busy schedules, the family enjoys being able to attend every home game. “We go to Wild Mike’s after every game to celebrate when they win. “If Luke’s happy about his transfer, I’m happy.”

When asked about the draft buzz surrounding Luke, Spencer said that, if his brother stays healthy, he’s projected to go in the third round, which is a remarkable achievement for an offensive guard. Spencer added, “I just hope he doesn’t get drafted by the Bengals,” sharing that Luke’s top teams in no order are Atlanta, Detroit, and Indianapolis, but he has a gut feeling that Pittsburgh might be the one to call his name on draft day.

The Locker Room Leader

Tommy Thamann, Luke’s former teammate during Elder High School’s 2019 state run, had nothing but praise for his friend and fellow player. “Luke was both a physical and vocal leader in the locker room. If you were ever struggling with school or anything related to football, he was the guy to ask for advice.” While Luke wasn’t necessarily quiet, Thamann described him as someone who led by example and stayed true to himself, regardless of the situation. “He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t change his attitude based on who he’s with. He’s always himself.”

When asked about Luke’s leadership on the field, Thamann described him as a natural captain, elected by both players and coaches not because of his physical status, but because of how well he embodied the role. “Luke is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever played with—not just in football, but probably the nicest man I’ve ever met,” Thamann said.

Reflecting on their state run in 2019, Thamann added, “If there was no Luke, there was no state run.” He emphasized that Luke was the anchor of the team, and his presence made all the difference during their impressive season. When asked if Luke’s draft prospects might change him, Thamann was confident that nothing could. “He’s the humblest person anyone will ever meet. If he was the first pick, he wouldn’t act like he’s above anyone.”

From ‘Puppy’ to Powerhouse

Coach Craig James, Luke’s offensive line coach at Elder, recalled how coachable Luke was throughout his high school career. “He knew the game inside and out. He could always give us insight into what was happening on the line during games, which helped us adjust quickly.”

When asked if he saw Luke achieving the level of success he has today, Coach James pointed to Luke’s resilience. “He’s always overcome challenges, and that’s why he’s been so successful. When he was at Elder, he had mono for a while but fought through it. There’s no surprise he’s had this kind of career.”

Coach James added that Luke is one of the top linemen Elder’s program has ever seen. “He came in as a little puppy and now he’s a full-grown dog,” he said proudly. When asked which NFL team Luke would be a great fit for, Coach James said he believes Luke would do well on a team with a blue-collar mentality, like the Browns, given his dad’s support for Cleveland. “He’ll succeed anywhere, but I think AFC or NFC North teams would be perfect for him with their run-heavy offenses.”

Coach James concluded by praising Luke’s humility, noting that he’s made everyone at Elder proud and will continue to do so as he embarks on his professional journey.