Overview
Top power RB prospect Luke Tiernan will make history by becoming the first born and bred Irishman to play American Football professionally should he be drafted in the NSFL.
Synonymous with rugby in his homeland, where he was a prodigious underage international star, he shocked a nation, and indeed the sport of rugby, by walking away from a burgeoning career in rugby to take up a full academic scholarship to study molecular biology at the University of Notre Dame, and while the “Fighting Irish” rugby program would have been dominant with “the Tullow Tank” in its ranks, Tiernan desired a change and with zero history of playing American Football, he was a walk on redshirt for the football program, first training as a Linebacker before moving to the other side of the ball as a Running back.
Tiernan showed all the athletic prowess that made him an international rugby star and was well known for embarrassing Notre Dame starters during training, with quick feet and strength to match, early on he was known as “Oklahoma” due to his innate ability to perform in the drill he relished so much. By the end of the year Tiernan was christened with a new nickname from his team mates “LT Smash”.
During his Sophomore year, Tiernan quickly rose to prominence and won the starting role early on in the season. And while at times his lack of experience showed, he become more well known for his barnstorming downhill running, with the ability to run through players while also having the speed to exploit gaps.
By year three, Tiernan was an out and out star, with questions already being raised as to whether he would look to take things to the next level as an American footballer or return to Europe and the game he was raised on – Rugby.
At 6”1 and 240lb, the man of many nicknames, has indeed opted for American Football and the chance to make history. A power running back, this diamond in the rough, still could use a little polishing, but truly has the potential to be a gamechanger.
Strengths
Strength, speed and the ability to find gaps that aren’t there, a true Frank Gore style downhill runner. Hard work, fortitude and dedication is his hallmark.
A man who lives by the saying “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Weaknesses
Inexperience – still a relative newcomer to the game, and while it has improved dramatically over the last two years, Tiernan has had issues with giving away penalties through poor knowledge of the laws of the game.
Pass blocking – Again, something he is working on, but a pass blocking RB, Tiernan is not.
Top power RB prospect Luke Tiernan will make history by becoming the first born and bred Irishman to play American Football professionally should he be drafted in the NSFL.
Synonymous with rugby in his homeland, where he was a prodigious underage international star, he shocked a nation, and indeed the sport of rugby, by walking away from a burgeoning career in rugby to take up a full academic scholarship to study molecular biology at the University of Notre Dame, and while the “Fighting Irish” rugby program would have been dominant with “the Tullow Tank” in its ranks, Tiernan desired a change and with zero history of playing American Football, he was a walk on redshirt for the football program, first training as a Linebacker before moving to the other side of the ball as a Running back.
Tiernan showed all the athletic prowess that made him an international rugby star and was well known for embarrassing Notre Dame starters during training, with quick feet and strength to match, early on he was known as “Oklahoma” due to his innate ability to perform in the drill he relished so much. By the end of the year Tiernan was christened with a new nickname from his team mates “LT Smash”.
During his Sophomore year, Tiernan quickly rose to prominence and won the starting role early on in the season. And while at times his lack of experience showed, he become more well known for his barnstorming downhill running, with the ability to run through players while also having the speed to exploit gaps.
By year three, Tiernan was an out and out star, with questions already being raised as to whether he would look to take things to the next level as an American footballer or return to Europe and the game he was raised on – Rugby.
At 6”1 and 240lb, the man of many nicknames, has indeed opted for American Football and the chance to make history. A power running back, this diamond in the rough, still could use a little polishing, but truly has the potential to be a gamechanger.
Strengths
Strength, speed and the ability to find gaps that aren’t there, a true Frank Gore style downhill runner. Hard work, fortitude and dedication is his hallmark.
A man who lives by the saying “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Weaknesses
Inexperience – still a relative newcomer to the game, and while it has improved dramatically over the last two years, Tiernan has had issues with giving away penalties through poor knowledge of the laws of the game.
Pass blocking – Again, something he is working on, but a pass blocking RB, Tiernan is not.
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