The Westlake High School football program consistently churns out student-athletes who go on to star at the next levels, so here’s a quick rundown of how some of our favorite Chaps are doing in their football endeavors, both in college, and beyond.
Cade Klubnik, sophomore QB at Clemson
When Klubnik was given the starting job at Clemson this past offseason, he was faced with the difficult challenge of rejuvenating a Clemson offense which hadn’t been the same after the departure of Trevor Lawrence to the NFL. Clemson lost their season opener to Duke in a massive 28-7 upset, raising questions about Klubnik’s ability to lead the team. However, Klubnik and the Tigers have bounced back, dropping 66 and 48 points in their second and third games, respectively, leading to easy wins. Klubnik has racked up 7 touchdowns and nearly 500 yards of passing over the past two games, and has secured his spot as the starter heading into Clemson’s clash with #4 ranked Florida State at 11 AM on Saturday.
Leo Lowin, senior LB at Army
Lowin has continued his illustrious career so far this season, racking up 17 total tackles and a forced fumble through the first three games of Army’s season. He’s been a consistent performer in Army’s defense for a long time, with 141 tackles over the past three seasons. Lowin will look to continue to lead the Black Knights’ stout defense when they look to pull off an upset against undefeated Syracuse on Saturday at 11 AM.
Jaden Greathouse, freshman WR at Notre Dame
Greathouse burst onto the scene this year as a true freshman, snagging two touchdowns in a dominant 45-3 win over Navy. As Notre Dame has surged to a 4-0 start, Greathouse is finding his role in a prolific Irish offense, with 126 yards and three touchdowns throughout the season. Greathouse looks to make an impact in Notre Dame’s matchup against 6th-ranked Ohio State on Saturday at 6:30 PM.
Sage Luther, senior DB at Colgate
Despite Colgate’s 0-3 record, Luther has been a stonewall in the Raiders defense, grabbing 1.5 tackles for loss this season, and getting a sack in Colgate’s most recent game, a 20-6 defeat against Penn. Luther is finding his role in a defense which has had bright moments, but is let down by the lack of offensive production. Luther and Colgate will look to get their first win of the season when they play Holy Cross this Saturday at 1 PM.
Ethan Burke, sophomore DE at Texas
Burke exploded into stardom during week two in Texas’s upset win over Alabama, tallying a sack and multiple tackles for loss. He had a quieter game against Wyoming last Saturday, but, due to his early performances, he’s started picking up attention as a serious NFL draft prospect, as scouts are comparing his 6’6” frame to that of recent #2 draft pick Aiden Hutchinson. Burke looks to take this momentum into a showdown against Baylor at 6:30 PM CT on Saturday.
Nakia Watson, senior RB at Washington State
Watson is coming off an efficient, 769 yard and 9 TD season where he ran the ball for 5.3 yards a carry in 2022, but has failed to recapture that efficiency so far in the new season. He’s tallied 82 yards and two scores on 27 carries, for an average of just over three yards per carry. He’s still the number one running back option for the Cougars, and the main man they’ll look to give the ball to when they need yards on the ground. Watson will attempt to re-find his form when Washington State takes on Oregon State in a high-stakes PAC 12 matchup on Saturday at 6 PM.
Michael Taaffe, redshirt sophomore S at Texas
The former walk-on registered regular snaps against Rice and Wyoming, making 4 total tackles in those games. He looks to fight for a regular rotation spot, but might be on the outside looking in as the Longhorns head into conference play this weekend.
Kylen Granson, third year TE for the Indianapolis Colts
The 2016 Westlake graduate scored his first NFL touchdown last Sunday, hauling in a short completion and reaching across the pylon as he was being brought down. He extended the Colts lead over the Texans to 17, and they would hold on to win. Granson was certainly due for a touchdown, shown by 49 receptions and 463 yards over his young playing career. He’ll look to find the endzone again when the Colts play the Ravens this Sunday at 12 PM.
Justin Tucker, twelfth year K for the Baltimore Ravens
Tucker has continued to be a force in the Ravens’ success, as he’s gone 3 for 4 on field goal tries so far this season. His only miss came this past Sunday when he hooked a 59 yard kick just to the right, but his consistency on shorter kicks has helped give Baltimore the edge to start the season 2-0. He looks to continue his prolificness this Sunday when the Ravens take on the Colts at 12 PM.
