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Offensive lineman Marko Luera, shown here at New Mexico.

By Tim Peterson

Marko Luera played varsity football at Glendora for four years where he was an offensive and defensive lineman. He graduated in 2025 and then went on to play at the University of New Mexico. He has since transferred to Azusa Pacific and is set to start the season this fall. I had a chance to sit down with him recently for a Q&A.

Q: At what age did you first start playing football?

A: I started playing football in first grade at Kare Youth League.

Q: In High School at Glendora you played offensive and defensive line. Which did you like better or did you just prefer being a two-way player? 

A: In High School I loved playing both ways as much as I possibly could but probably offensive line because I was getting recruited at that position. 

Q: What year were you in high school that you realized you had a chance to play at the next level? 

A: I was starting on Varsity my freshman year and I got the chance to meet with some UCLA coaches in the middle of the season when they came by Glendora. My friends and I were all kind of shocked that the UCLA coach came straight to my class to pull me out. 

Luera is now set to begin the 2026 season at Azusa Pacific. (Photo courtesy of Bo Beatty).

Q: What led to your decision to go to New Mexico and did you have other offers as well? Did New Mexico recruit you specifically as an offensive lineman?  

A: I was talking with a lot of Mountain West and now Pac-12 teams like Fresno State, San Diego State, Boise State, Hawaii, and Nevada. The only school that was recruiting me for Defense was the University of Nevada. I committed to New Mexico because of Coach Eck and how fast he was changing the reputation of New Mexico football. 

Q: What were the factors that led you to transfer from New Mexico? When you did decide to transfer did you consider any other schools besides Azusa Pacific? 

A: By the time our bowl game came around I knew I wanted to move home. Not having Christmas with my family was really hard on me. I wanted to move home and kind of take a step back from football for a while. When I officially entered the portal I kind of already had a plan of going to a school locally if I was going to continue to play football. The first call I got the day I entered the portal was from Bo Beatty and it’s really the only call I took. I got a couple texts from some D1 FCS schools but I was set on moving home. 

Q: The San Gabriel Valley community is excited that Azusa Pacific is bringing back its football program this year and will compete in Division 3. What were the reasons that went into your decision to go to Azusa Pacific to play football? 

A: I think APU really being set on being GOD FIRST in everything they do played a big part in me coming here. I also got to meet Coach Parnell and saw his vision for bringing the program back and I loved it. 

Q: What was your best moment or game while playing for Glendora? 

A: My favorite moment while playing at Glendora was the playoff run we had during my Senior year. We had two insane comeback games and it was a time when everyone on that team was just letting it loose and having fun. Our comeback against Dana Hills when we were down 21-3 was probably my favorite game ever. 

Q: Was there one specific coach that had the biggest influence on you or was it several coaches that helped to mold you into a college athlete?

A: My head coach Brandon Rohrer was huge in molding me into who I am today. He really is my favorite coach ever and one of the best in the area. 

Q: We know it takes a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication to play football (or any sport) at the college level. How important is the work in the classroom and achieving good grades in your journey to be successful?  

A: I didn’t have the best grades in high school but I just did enough to open the doors for me. I look back now and realize grades are really more important than getting an extra workout or two when you are in high school. I realize now that your grades in school can have a direct correlation to your on-field play and discipline.

Q: It’s only April but have you had a chance to work out or practice with the team yet at Azusa Pacific? How excited are you for the 2026 season to begin? 

A: We finished spring ball two weeks ago and have been lifting all semester I am very excited and love how close I have gotten with my teammates so far here at APU!