Luke Joeckel Shared Amazing Journey to 2013 NFL Draft with Twin Brother Matt

If you believe the pundits, we can expect to hear Luke Joeckel's name very early on in the NFL draft on Thursday, April 25. If we have learned anything about their relationship, his twin brother, Matt, will be cheering louder than anyone once he hears the family name. 

The Dallas Morning News' Rainer Sabin has a fantastic breakdown of one of the more intriguing subplots, of which there are many, to hit the 2013 NFL draft. 

It centers around twin brothers who will soon part ways as one embarks on a marvelous step in his pro career. 

As the report states, despite being fraternal twins, the two boys were as similar as one might imagine. Their mother, Reecanne, recalled two boys who were inseparable. A grade school anecdote tells of how the two guessed precisely the same number of jelly beans in a jar while never once conversing with one another. 

Still, the two have their differences, both in appearance and in specific talents on the football field. 

Many believe we will hear "Luke Joeckel" as the first name called on the all-important night. ESPN's Mel Kiper has him as the No. 1 pick in his 4.1 mock draft while Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has the same and also has Luke Joeckel as the No. 1 player on his big board. 

At some point in their lives, Luke sprouted in size while embracing every last nuance of what it means to be a successful tackle. 

It probably didn't hurt that it meant he would be protecting his twin in high school.

Despite a rare moment in junior high, the two have always played on the same team. They enrolled at Arlington High School and Matt would go on to become the star quarterback while Luke played the part of stalwart offensive lineman. 

As the report reminds, the two continued to stay together, even as college loomed. 

A 2009 ESPN report went further into the differences between the two, saying that Matt noted at one point how Luke just packed on the pounds. 

The differences went far beyond their mere physical traits, as Arlington High football coach Scott Peach explains: 

"

The thing Luke brings is, besides his edge, he's extremely physical. He plays from the start of the whistle to the end on every snap of every practice and every game. As a sophomore without the strength that he has now, he played with great leverage. He found a way to win.

Matt is the ultimate leader. When he speaks, everybody on the football team listens. We're doing things in our offensive scheme that I'd never dreamed of doing in the previous 12 years that I've been on the offensive side of the football because of his great knowledge of the game. Because of the way he studies the game.

"

Two intense football players traveled similar paths, albeit in their own manner. More than likely their road splits on Thursday. One brother will head to the NFL and the other will continue to play backup to Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel. 

Not that it matters because little has changed. 

The brothers, both of whom have played countless hours together, will continue to cheer one another on as well. 

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