Luke Rhodes Bio
Luke Rhodes (born December 2, 1992) is an American professional football long snapper and linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 238 pounds, he wears jersey number 46 and has built a reputation as one of the most reliable specialists in the league. After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, Rhodes carved out a steady career through special teams play, eventually earning First-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Rhodes attended the College of William & Mary, where he developed as a linebacker before transitioning to long snapper at the professional level. His journey from small-college starter to league-recognized specialist reflects both his athletic versatility and his dedication to mastering an often-overlooked role on NFL rosters.
Early Life and Background
Luke Rhodes was born on December 2, 1992, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the same central Pennsylvania community where he later attended Hollidaysburg High School, graduating before continuing his football career at the collegiate level. The small-town setting of Hollidaysburg provided an early foundation for his athletic interests, and his development through local programs helped prepare him for the demands of college football.
At Hollidaysburg High School, Rhodes played football and developed the physical tools and discipline that would eventually earn him a college opportunity. His path reflected that of many Pennsylvania high school athletes who pursue football at programs outside the most heavily recruited conferences, relying on steady improvement and consistent performance rather than early national exposure.
Path to American Football
Following high school, Rhodes committed to the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he joined the William & Mary Tribe football program. He redshirted during the 2011 season before beginning his collegiate playing career in 2012. Over the course of his time with the Tribe, he became a dependable linebacker, ultimately starting 45 of 47 games across his career.
During his college years, Rhodes recorded 341 tackles, including 172 solo stops, along with five sacks, one interception, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His consistent production earned him three selections to the All-Colonial Athletic Association First Team, and he was the only Division I-AA player named to the watch list for the 2015 Butkus Award. Despite these achievements, he went unselected in the 2016 NFL Draft, beginning his professional career as an undrafted free agent.
Luke Rhodes Career
Early Career (2016)
Luke Rhodes signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2016. His time with the Buccaneers was brief, as he was released on September 3, 2016, as part of the team’s final roster cuts before the regular season. The short stint in Tampa Bay marked the end of his first professional chapter and opened the door for an opportunity elsewhere.
Shortly after his release, Rhodes was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts on October 5, 2016. He was promoted to the active roster on December 7, 2016, where he was listed as a linebacker and contributed mainly on special teams. This move set the foundation for his long-term career in Indianapolis and gave him the platform to prove himself in multiple phases of the game.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2017–2019)
During the 2017 off-season, the Colts converted Rhodes to a new role, that of long snapper for punts and kickoffs. He successfully adapted to the position and on August 28, 2017, was named the team’s full-time long snapper after winning a training camp competition against rookie Thomas Hennessy. The transition marked a turning point in his career, allowing him to secure a defined role on the roster.
On April 2, 2018, Rhodes signed an exclusive rights tender with the Colts through the 2018 season, confirming his place within the organization. He continued to handle long snapping duties consistently, and on June 11, 2019, he signed a four-year, $4.85 million contract extension with $1.25 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid long snapper in the league at that time.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2020–Present)
Rhodes went on to be named an Associated Press Second-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2021, cementing his status among the league’s elite specialists. In 2021, he handled long snapping duties in 16 games for the fifth consecutive season and was honored with First-team All-Pro recognition. That same year, he became the first Indianapolis long snapper selected to the Pro Bowl since Matt Overton in 2013.
On September 8, 2023, Rhodes signed a four-year, $6.465 million contract extension with the Colts, once again making him the highest-paid long snapper in the NFL. The deal reflects his continued value to the franchise and his consistency in a role that demands precision on every snap. As of the 2025 season, he remains an active member of the Indianapolis roster, having played in 152 career games with 18 total tackles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although long snapping is not a position often highlighted for athletic flair, Rhodes has built his reputation on accuracy, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure. His background as a linebacker gives him the physicality to handle the rigors of special teams, while his technical refinement allows him to deliver clean snaps for both punts and field goals. His partnership with punters and kickers in Indianapolis has been a key factor in the team’s special-teams stability.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Rhodes’s most notable milestones are his First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections in 2021, his 2019 contract extension that made him the league’s highest-paid long snapper, and his 2023 extension that reinforced that status. He also holds the distinction of being the first Indianapolis long snapper named to the Pro Bowl since 2013, a testament to his sustained excellence.
Luke Rhodes Career Wins
Luke Rhodes’s career has been defined less by traditional win totals and more by individual accolades and recognition within his specialized role. His honors include First-team All-Pro in 2021, Second-team All-Pro in 2020, and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, all reflecting peer and media respect for his work as a long snapper.
NFL Highlights
Rhodes’s first major NFL honor came in 2020 when he was named an Associated Press Second-team All-Pro. He followed that with First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition in 2021, becoming the first Indianapolis long snapper to make the Pro Bowl since Matt Overton in 2013. His consistent snap quality has been a hallmark of the Colts’ special teams units throughout his tenure.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods, Rhodes has been recognized through lucrative contract extensions in 2019 and 2023, both of which named him the highest-paid long snapper in the league at the time of signing. These agreements reflect his standing as one of the top specialists in professional football.
Luke Rhodes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Luke Rhodes was raised in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where he attended Hollidaysburg High School and developed his football skills before moving on to William & Mary. Publicly available information about his immediate family, including parents and siblings, is limited and not detailed in verified sources.
Personal Life
Rhodes has kept much of his personal life private, with limited publicly confirmed details regarding a spouse or children. His professional focus and long-standing tenure with the Indianapolis Colts have been the most documented aspects of his adult life.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Luke Rhodes continues his role as the Indianapolis Colts’ long snapper, building on a career that now includes 152 games played. His 2023 contract extension keeps him under contract through 2027, providing the Colts with one of the most experienced specialists in the league. As a steady presence on special teams, he remains a foundational piece of Indianapolis’s roster.
Rhodes’s value continues to be measured through consistency rather than statistics, with his snapping accuracy and reliability serving as benchmarks for the team’s kicking game. With his recent honors and ongoing contract, expectations remain high for him to maintain his standard of performance throughout the 2025 campaign and beyond.
