News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BIRMINGHAM — Former Texas A&M standout and first round NFL Draft pick Luke Joeckel was named to the 2024 SEC Football Legends class, the league announced.
Joeckel was a three-year starter for the Aggies on the offensive line from 2010-12. He started his first game in 2010 and made 39 straight starts at left tackle, protecting the likes of quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill and Johnny Manziel, who was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. Joeckel became one of the most imposing and decorated offensive linemen in program history. He earned Freshman All-Conference honors in 2010, All-Conference accolades in 2011 and was named to the All-SEC First Team in 2012, also earning the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded to the top offensive lineman in the conference. The Arlington, Texas, native would go on to earn the 2012 Outland Trophy, presented to the nation’s top interior lineman, and was named a unanimous All-American. During Joeckel’s playing days in Aggieland, the A&M offense outscored opponents 2-to-1 and led the SEC in 2012 in rushing yards, passing yards, scoring offense and total offense. After his junior season, Joeckel declared for the draft and was the No. 2 selection in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Joeckel played five years in the NFL with the Jaguars and the Seattle Seahawks, but injuries cut short his NFL career. He went on to earn his degree from Texas A&M’s Mays Business School in 2019 and was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame with Manziel and Mike Evans in 2022.
The class will be honored at the 2024 SEC Football “Weekend of Champions” Dec. 6-7 in Atlanta, highlighted by the annual SEC Legends Celebration presented by T-Mobile on Friday, Dec. 6 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 7.