© Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
East Carolina punter Luke Larsen will be on the move this offseason as he looks to finish out his college football career. The veteran special teamer had been with the program for five years. This week, it was announced that he’d intended to leave.
Larsen will hit the portal as a grad student. He’s currently wrapping up his MBA in Greenville at the university. The loss is a big one for the Pirates as they look ahead to next season.
Across his previous five campaigns, Larsen’s punted 174 times for a grand total of 7,099 yards. According to Sports-Reference, that ranks fourth in program history. He’s leaving behind a chance to chase the school record in order to find a new home.
ECU punter Luke Larsen has entered the portal as a grad transfer. @247SportsPortal
— Stephen Igoe (@StephenIgoe) January 20, 2025
Larsen got a late start on his career. He’s originally from Australia, and didn’t make the transition to US football until his was 28 years old. His first season with the Pirates was in 2020, which didn’t count against his NCAA eligibility.
He then redshirted in ’21 after appearing in just one game. That’s allowed him one final season, which he intends to spend elsewhere.
While at East Carolina, Luke Larsen earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial distribution and logistics. He’ll soon complete his graduate school coursework and is a six-time member of the ECU Director of Athletics Honor Roll, according to his university bio.
The punter is the oldest player in college football, but he’s not the first we’ve seen take advantage of extra eligibility. Former Miami tight end Cam McCormick recently suited up for his ninth season of play. Injuries largely derailed his career, which began way back in 2017. Others have followed suit given the presence of NIL in the sport.
Larsen hopes to close out his lengthy playing career with another strong season. He’ll then get to decide on whether to test NFL waters or join the workforce.