Luke Mahoney '26 // WR, OLB, P // Oak Lawn Community High School // 6'3, 190lbs

jennycz27
May 12
4 min read

By: Jenny

Every Football Player Has A Story To Tell

Jersey #: 12 // Positions: WR, OLB, P // Height & Weight: 6'3, 190lbs // 40 Yard Dash: 4.6 // Shuttle: 4.39

Vertical: 40 //Bench: 225lbs // Deadlift (lbs): 385lbs // Clean (lbs): 225lbs

As the Class of 2026 begins to take center stage in Illinois high school football, one name to know is Luke Mahoney, a three-sport athlete from Oak Lawn Community High School who is redefining what it means to be a leader, competitor, and student-athlete.

Standing at 6'3", Mahoney is a physical force on the football field. Known for his aggressive play style and 100% effort on every snap, he’s the kind of player that energizes a team with his presence. “I’m a natural loud vocal leader,” Mahoney says. “I try to communicate every play to help put my teammates in the best position possible for our team to have success.”

Mahoney is a rare breed in today’s era of sports specialization—an athlete who not only plays three sports, but excels at all of them. He’s a starter on the football team (offense, defense, and special teams), a valuable contributor on the basketball court, and a fierce competitor on the track. Balancing it all takes serious commitment. “It’s definitely challenging,” he admits. “It takes lots of focus and dedication, but I love to compete. I have great passion which drives me to be involved as much as I can.”

Mahoney is a true ironman, playing on every side of the ball for Oak Lawn. While he feels most comfortable on offense, particularly as a deep threat receiver—thanks to his size, physicality, and ball-adjustment skills—he also thrives on defense. “My mentality on defense is ‘Be the hammer, not the nail.’ I love to start the game with a big hit because it sets the tone.”

Whether he’s catching touchdowns or delivering bone-rattling hits, Mahoney’s football IQ and preparation set him apart. He’s a film room junkie and holds himself to the highest standard of preparation and accountability. “It all starts off the field. The work you put in off the field prepares you for Friday night. If you’ve studied hard and seen it before, you’ll be ready when it happens in the game.”

Mahoney’s leadership is both vocal and example-driven. He prides himself on helping his teammates through communication, encouraging them to stay locked in, and pushing everyone around him to be better. “I want to be that teammate you can come to if you're unsure of something or need anything. I want to be that guy.”

While many players overlook special teams, Mahoney embraces the third phase of the game. “Some people think special teams don’t matter, but at Oak Lawn, we really harp on them. We believe special teams can change the game significantly.” Whether it’s flipping the field with a punt or making a crucial tackle, Mahoney is always looking to make a positive impact.

Basketball and track aren’t just secondary sports to Mahoney. They're key components of his athletic development. In basketball, he’s benefited from a culture built on mobility, teamwork, and total team buy-in. “We focus on ‘WE’ not ‘ME.’ It’s a team sport, and you need your entire team to win games.”

Track, meanwhile, has improved his explosiveness, conditioning, and speed. Events like triple jump, long jump, high jump, and the 100m and 400m dash have enhanced his all-around athleticism. “Track has helped me fix my running technique and become faster,” he says.

Mahoney credits being a three-sport athlete with giving him an edge that will translate to the next level. “I’m constantly growing, becoming faster, stronger, more agile. My body is used to the constant in-season training all year round. That’ll help me transition to college football.”

As he prepares for the recruiting process, Mahoney is focused on finding a player-led program with strong culture, development, and academic support. “I look at how serious they are about academics, how they help their athletes succeed both in the classroom and on the field.”

More than anything, Mahoney wants to leave a legacy at Oak Lawn. “My personal team goal is to leave the program in a better place than when I joined. I want to set a culture that continues after I graduate. I want colleges to come back to Oak Lawn knowing they’ll get good athletes here.”

His goals for the 2025 season are clear: lead Oak Lawn to the playoffs, win a conference title for the first time since 2008, and help every member of the Class of 2026 who wants to play at the next level get that opportunity.

Though recovering from an injury, Mahoney remains focused. He’s training, attending his own camp, and preparing to return stronger, faster, and more explosive. “I’ll be ready for the season more prepared than ever before.”

Oak Lawn will be a team to watch this year. With returning talent across the board and key leaders like Mahoney, expectations are high. “We have a lot of athletes who will make a huge impact,” he says, pointing to quarterback Tadhg Walsh, Alex Soto, John O, and emerging young talents like Laith Abassi, Hendryx Goetz, Karmoni Polk, Jayden Schlosser, and Justin Lopez.

In Luke Mahoney, Oak Lawn has more than a standout athlete—they have a driven leader, respected community member, and fierce competitor who’s ready to put the Spartans on the map.

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