The name Harpring carries weight at Georgia Tech, conjuring up memories of basketball greatness and now the promise of a new athletic chapter.
But is there a real family connection between rising football talent Luke Harpring and legendary Yellow Jackets basketball player Matt Harpring?
Luke Harpring: Following in the Footsteps, but on the Gridiron
Luke Harpring, a standout freshman tight end for Georgia Tech, has quickly made his presence felt on the football field. Rated as a four-star recruit and one of the top tight ends in the nation, Luke’s high school career at Marist School was marked by record-setting performances.
A two-way player at defensive end and tight end, Harpring recorded 15 sacks as a junior at Marist while making 14 catches for 320 yards. In his debut season for the Yellow Jackets, he posted three receptions for 43 yards, averaging 14.3 yards per catch.
Luke’s story is inseparable from his family legacy. His father is Matt Harpring, the former Georgia Tech basketball All-American whose No. 15 jersey was retired after a storied college career. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NBA.
“It’s not [just] important for me,” Matt said, reflecting on his Hall of Fame induction at Georgia Tech. “But for Luke to be able to come back, or for his son, and say, ‘Hey, that’s Grandpa.’ My Dad made his high school hall of fame. It was cool to go there when I was young”.
Wearing the same No. 15 as his father, Luke acknowledged the significance during an interview with Sports Illustrated: “Yeah, I mean, he has always been super, like with me and supportive of all I do so yeah, obviously he thinks 15 is a great thing and I am following him in his footsteps and everything, but he also likes that I am trying to make a name for myself.”
Beyond Basketball: The Harpring Family Legacy
Amanda Harpring — Luke’s mother — was an accomplished swimmer at Cornell and Jack Harpring — Luke’s grandfather — played football at Michigan, with a slew of aunts and uncles starring in various sports at Georgia Tech.
So, yes, pure athleticism and raw talent runs in the family — none shining brighter than Matt Harpring. He ranks No. 2 at Georgia Tech in points scored (2,225) and No. 3 in total rebounds (997), eventually racking up 7,645 career points in the NBA.
22 years later this is still one of my favorite moments of #ACCTourney in Greensboro. @mharpring15 of @GTMBB takes a final bow vs. Maryland. Crowd knew he emptied the tank every time he took the floor. He averaged 19 pts in 6 career tourney games. @accnetwork pic.twitter.com/uFZMVLcIbp
— 𝐖𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐚𝐦 (@WesDurham) March 8, 2020
As the Harpring name echoes once more through the halls of Georgia Tech, it’s clear that Luke is not just following in his father Matt Harpring’s legendary footsteps—he’s blazing his own trail on the football field.
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