LHS grads suit up for Division I programs

Four Louisburg High School graduates will find themselves on the sidelines as they take part in the highest level collegiate football has to offer. Mesa Ribordy, Kade Larson, Luke Hupp and Konnor Cook are all on Division I rosters as they compete for time on the field for their respective schools.

Below are small bios and the school they will play for this season.

Mesa Ribordy, redshirt freshman, University of Kansas

Mesa Ribordy could see a lot of playing time this season for the Kansas Jayhawks after redshirting last season. Ribordy is listed as a backup guard and center on the most recent depth chart and has bulked up since moving to Lawrence. He now stands at 6 feet, 4 inches and weighs 290 pounds.

Ribordy, who wears No. 69, could see the field as early as this Saturday when the Jayhawks host Rhode Island at 6 p.m. Ribordy is a 2015 graduate of Louisburg High School and spent of his time at the tight end spot at high school before finding a home on the offensive line with the Jayhawks.

Kade Larson, sophomore, University of Tennessee-Martin

Kade Larson had to battle a little adversity before joining the Tennessee-Martin football team, but Larson seems to be finding a nice home with the Skyhawks. Larson, who stands at 6-3 and weighs 275 pounds, plays on the offensive line and saw some playing time as a freshman.

In 2014, Larson started out with the Skyhawks, but suffered an arm-injury during fall workous and had to redshirt. In 2015, Larson played in five games and later earned a spot on the OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Larson, who wears No. 98, is a 2013 Louisburg High School graduate and started out his collegiate career playing baseball for Coffeyville Community College before deciding on football. While in high school, Larson was an all-Frontier League player on both the offensive and defensive lines and was all-state defensive lineman as a senior. Larson and the Skyhawks opened their season with a 28-7 loss to Cincinnati on Thursday.

Luke Hupp, sophomore, Oklahoma State University

Luke Hupp worked his way up the to Division I ranks last year when he earned a walk-on spot with the Oklahoma State football team. Hupp redshirted last season after spending a little time at Fort Scott Community College in 2014.

Hupp, who is listed at 5-10 and 255 pounds, plays the Cowboy Back position for Oklahoma State and could also see some time on special teams. Hupp wears No. 40 for the Cowboys.

Hupp is 2014 Louisburg High School graduate and played fullback and linebacker for a majority of his time with the Wildcats. Hupp and the Cowboys opener their season at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana.

Konnor Cook, junior, Kansas State University

Konnor Cook is in his first year with the Kansas State football program after taking a break from football. Cook earned a walk-on spot with the Wildcats this past spring and will play fullback.

Cook, who measures at 6-0 and 241 pounds, will wear No. 48 for the Wildcats this season. He played six games for Coffeyville Community College in 2013 as a freshman.

He graduated from Louisburg High School in 2013 and earned all-state honors as a defensive tackle. Cook and Kansas State opens their season at 8 p.m. tonight against Stanford.