The Lowman Trophy-winning fullback out of North Dakota State who turned an undrafted shot into a lucrative Cowboys extension.
Hunter Luepke is proof that fullback is not extinct in Dallas. A physical, do-everything back from a North Dakota State pipeline known for producing pros, Luepke went from undrafted free agent to one of the highest-paid players at his position within three seasons.
Path to the league
Luepke starred at North Dakota State, where he won the Lowman Trophy in 2022 as college football's top fullback after rushing for 619 yards and nine touchdowns on 98 carries as a senior, adding four receiving touchdowns. He went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent with a $200,000 signing bonus.
Career highlights
Luepke forced his way onto Dallas's roster with a standout preseason finale in 2023, piling up 118 total yards and a touchdown. He has since become a steady lead blocker and short-yardage option for the Cowboys' backfield, valued for the same power-running, soft-handed skill set that made him a college award winner.
2025 season recap
Luepke's continued value to Dallas was reflected in a new two-year, $7.5 million contract extension signed in September 2025, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid fullbacks. He remained the Cowboys' primary fullback through the 2025 season, working as a lead blocker in the run game and out of the backfield.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Hunter Luepke
- ESPN: Hunter Luepke
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Rushing
17 games played▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | cowboys | 17 | 16 | 71 | 4.4 | 0 | 9 |
| 2024 | cowboys | 16 | 12 | 38 | 3.2 | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 | cowboys | 17 | 6 | 19 | 3.2 | 1 | 9 |
▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | cowboys | 17 | 13 | 109 | 8.4 | 1 | 15 |
| 2024 | cowboys | 16 | 12 | 111 | 9.3 | 0 | 24 |
| 2023 | cowboys | 17 | 3 | 18 | 6.0 | 0 | 12 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Fullback
- Group
- offense
- College
- North Dakota State
- Hometown
- Spencer, WI, USA
- Age
- 26
- Status
- active
