Note: The following appears in the Florida State football gameday program.
For Clemson wide receiver Luke Stubbs, the journey to wearing the Tiger Paw has been anything but ordinary. A lifelong Tiger fan who grew up attending games in Death Valley, Stubbs always dreamed of playing under the bright orange lights. But it took three years of perseverance, faith and unwavering belief to finally make it happen.
“I originally chose Clemson because I wanted to attend a big Southern school. When I toured, everyone was super sweet. I loved the idea of Southern hospitality. It felt like home.”
Stubbs’ path to the team came through the walk-on process, which he described as “a three-day tryout that ends with being placed on an inventory list” before earning a call-up. He did not make the roster his freshman year, and during his sophomore year, he was put on the inventory list. But his persistence paid off this past summer when he received a message from Clemson’s director of player personnel, Mike Dooley.
“He texted me saying they wanted to bring me back to see if I could join the team. I’d been here for three years, and to finally get that chance to call him and then talk to Coach (Dabo) Swinney was a surreal moment.”
Now a junior, Stubbs’ story serves as inspiration to every player chasing a dream.
“I prayed countless times to make it. I never thought it was going to happen, but it did. My advice is simple. Even when it seems impossible, don’t give up, because it still might.”
Stubbs’ continued persistence paid off and contributed to his favorite memory as a part of the team when he felt the rush of running down the Hill against LSU in the 2025 season opener.
“That was the most insane environment I’ve ever experienced.”
Off the field, Stubbs stays grounded thanks to his parents and girlfriend.
“For the last three years, my parents have been through every walk-on tryout, every call, every time I didn’t make it, every workout I went to, practices and training just to get on the team. My mom has never once let me believe that I wouldn’t make the team. I would call my mom, and she’d say, ‘Well, you’re going to make it next spring. You’re going to make next fall.’ I appreciate having the support group believing in me and not letting me think that I wasn’t going to make it.”
Stubbs also finds joy in simple things, such as spending time with his support circle and his German Shepherd, Apollo, who just turned one.
“He’s my pride and joy.”
In the wide receiver room, Stubbs credited teammates Antonio Williams, T.J. Moore, Cole Turner and Chase Byrd for helping him grow.
“They are able to do things that I could never do, but I also know there are techniques and things they do that I can replicate. I can copy and do it to the best of my ability.
“I’m super close with a lot of the wide receivers, and I’ve developed as a football player so well, because I asked them very mundane and random questions, like how to do a ‘stripe break,’ or what’s the best way to get out on a route, and they say it so simply, and that was when I put it into practice.”
As for his goals this season, Stubbs keeps them simple.
“I want to graduate with a strong standing, get better every day and hopefully score a touchdown.”
From walk-on tryouts to playing under the bright lights of Memorial Stadium, Stubbs’ story embodies the values of grit, work ethic and commitment. They serve as a reminder that many dreams take time to come true.
