Dan Mullen (left) didn't get a chance to coach Luke Del Rio, but was on hand for Thursday's senior graduation brunch.
Del Rio Mastered His Situation
Thursday, April 26, 2018 | General, Football, Chris Harry
Quarterback Luke Del Rio, who has completed work toward a master's degree in science and management, was one of 77 student-athletes honored Thursday at the UAA's annual senior brunch.
When the quarterback arrived at the University of Florida after transferring from Oregon State (and after transferring there from Alabama), he had lost some academic credits along the way and was encouraged to pursue a degree in family, youth and community sciences to get caught up.
"Honestly, I didn't have much interest in it," Del Rio said. "But for me, it was quick and easy."
Del Rio had no trouble balancing the academic and athletic work, eventually competing for — and winning — the starting quarterback position for the Gators in both the 2016 and '17 seasons, only to suffer injuries in both years. The separated shoulder that ended his 2017 campaign last Sept. 30 against Vanderbilt, as it turned out, also ended his playing career.
But Del Rio did not lament his situation. And though he had been granted a sixth year of eligibility because of a medical hardship, he bypassed a chance to return to the field in 2018. What Del Rio didn't bypass, though, was the academic opportunity afforded him. Because he'd taken semester loads of 16-18 credits, he graduated in December of 2016 and in two weeks will take a walk to a master's degree in science and management.
On Thursday, Del Rio was one of the 77 Gators honored during the 2018 Student-Athlete Graduation Brunch Celebration at the Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. All told, 60 came as members of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, headlined by Academic All-American and gymnastics superstar Alex McMurtry, one of the keynote speakers. Sprinkled throughout the audience in the O'Dome atrium were members of 27 SEC championship and eight national-championship teams.
Del Rio's career did not include any such on-field titles, but he was not shortchanged as far as the student in the phrase "student-athlete."
"A lot of things didn't go the way I wanted, but a lot of guys don't get to play college football, especially quarterback at an SEC school and at a place like Florida," said Del Rio, one of 12 of his student-athlete graduating class leaving with a masters. "I look back on my time here and I'm proud of what I accomplished."
Del Rio's statistics may have been modest — he completed 57.5 percent of his passes for 1,496 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions — but his won-loss record was not. The Gators won six of the seven games started by Del Rio, the son of former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio, who throughout his time at UF (even while ineligible during his redshirt season) was revered by his teammates as a leader.
He just couldn't stay healthy.
"Perseverance defines Luke Del Rio," said football academic advisor Caleb Sorgius of the Hawkins Center. "You see guys all the time get down, let depression overcome them, because they can't do what they love. He never let that happen. Even though his background was in football, he did not let football define who he was as a person. He had other things outside the game and focused on those things while maintaining a leadership role on the team, which he took very seriously."
Del Rio's future plans aren't in football, though he may explore being a sports agent. He's looked into financial and marketing opportunities in New York, as well real estate options in Colorado.
He's right. Few get to play football at a place like Florida; much less quarterback.
Even fewer do so and leave with a master's.
"This place is great, just tremendous, and the amount of help you get is unreal," Del Rio said. "They really do push you and challenge you to do things and earn your degree. I know a lot of people get them — a degree, really, it's just a piece of paper — so what matters is what you learn, and what you do with it."
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