Class of 2014 profile: Luke Klingler
Throughout the summer at the National Football Post, we will profile a number of the nation's top prospects in the Class of 2014 along with those that are intriguing for a variety of reasons — risers, fallers, sleepers, etc.
Today, let's take a look at Luke Klingler, the son of former Cincinnati Bengals first-round draft pick David Klingler, who lit up college scoreboards while leading the Houston Cougars' run-and-shoot offense. David Klingler finished fifth in the 1990 Heisman Trophy balloting and continues to hold several FBS records.
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Pro-style QB Luke Klingler
Class of 2014
6-3, 197 pounds
Cinco Ranch High School (Katy, TX)
Undeclared
Notable offers: None
Despite his familiar last name, Luke Klingler has gone under the radar on the recruiting trail since missing all of the 2012 season with an ACL injury. But he is expected to return to lead the Cinco Ranch offense this fall and help the program find better success in the postseason after the school lost in the area playoffs three straight years after making the state semifinals in 2009.
Along with his cousin Cory Klingler, an offensive tackle at Manvel High School in Texas and son of former Houston Cougars quarterback Jimmy Klingler, he is a possible FBS prospect because he possesses the tools to be successful at a high level. The cousins have even discussed the possibility of going to the same college.
First, though, Luke Klinger will have to prove that he is healthy after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament before last season. He had surgery soon after the injury, though, and was already moving around and throwing this past winter. With Klingler projected to be the starter in the fall, the Cougars will once again be more of a pass-happy team after relying on the ground game in 2012. College coaches are likely to be curious to see how Klingler fares as the No. 1 QB now that he is the starter. Schools that have expressed some interest in the signal-caller include Houston, SMU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and LSU.
While he isn't the biggest or most athletic QB, one of Klingler's biggest strengths is his arm, which is stronger than his father's at this stage of his career. He makes good decisions, is a natural leader and is mentally tough.
Because he is a pro-style quarterback and not a zone-read signal-caller, he will likely only interest programs that are running more traditional pro-style sets. But he projects to be a solid fit at a non-AQ program and possibly a lower-level BCS school depending on how he does as a full-time starter in 2013.
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This story originally appeared on Nationalfootballpost.com
