North Allegheny 2021 LB Nathan Hoke Commits To BYU

Nathan Hoke grew up with the dreams of one day playing D-I football and with an even bigger dream of playing for the BYU Cougars.

Today both of those dreams became a reality as the North Allegheny star linebacker made a commitment to play for BYU.

The last name of Hoke is familiar to football fans here in Western Pennsylvania as his father Chris was a longtime member of the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line, who also played his college football at BYU.

Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke with Hoke following his decision and it was very obvious how happy and proud day for the entire Hoke family.

”This means a lot to me because I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time,” Hoke told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “My brother is also going to play football at BYU, he’s currently serving a church mission. Growing up, I’ve always loved that school and now with a chance to play for them, that was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

”What made it better was the eventual chance of playing with my brother. This is a huge day for my family. My dad obviously had success in his career and all he’s ever wanted was to have success in whatever they choose to do. For him to be able to watch my brother and I play D-I football really excites him and he just wants us to start our own journeys like he had his journey.”

Although he wanted to play for BYU, Hoke wasn’t  sure the opportunity would present itself. However, last Saturday he received a phone call from the BYU staff and they officially offered him a scholarship and the rest is history.

”I was in contact with BYU throughout my junior year and now heading into my senior season. I had eight other offers prior to this but BYU was obviously very high on my list and on my mind and hoping that one day I’d get that offer,” said Hoke.

”When I officially got the offer, I still reviewed it with my parents. They told me that this is all your decision and you go wherever you’re most comfortable with. I was thinking about the other schools that offered and all the pros and cons and I came to the conclusion that BYU was the best fit for me.”

Have been putting in a lot of work this offseason!! Still got a lot to prove👀💯 pic.twitter.com/7f9RlcuuRC

— Nathan Hoke (@natehoke26) July 24, 2020

Looking ahead to BYU, Hoke (6’3”, 225) says it’s still yet to be determined as to where he’ll play as the coaches see potential on both offense and defense. The only thing Hoke is sure about is that the Cougars are getting a hard-working, motivated player that will earn a role with the program.

”I’m a player that won’t be outworked. I’m going to go there ready to compete and I’ll be a team player,” said Hoke. “I know that I’m not going to go there and be a star player right away because other kids will be coming in that have been working just like I have. I just know that BYU is getting a player that will be 100% all the time and where ever they play me, I’ll look to take advantage of the opportunity that I am presented with.”

”When I look back at all the hard work and practice I put in to try and achieve this goal of one day playing D-I football. To be able to do that today especially to a place that I’ve always wanted to go is something that I still can’t believe.”