MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship between Miami and Indiana will have a little North Idaho flavor, thanks to a pair of former Kellogg Wildcats. 

In 2023, after setting a slew of Idaho high school football records, twin brothers Riply and Kolby Luna bet on themselves by accepting preferred walk-on offers from the University of Miami,  a decision they haven’t regretted for a moment. 

Now in their third year under Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal, the former Kellogg High School standouts are playing a vital role in helping The U gear up for the biggest game of their careers, even if most people across the country don’t know who they are. 

Both Lunas are listed as wide receivers on the team’s website, but they’ve done plenty of cosplay this season, often lining up as the opposing team’s quarterback or receivers while working with the Hurricanes’ scout team. 

Prior to Miami’s 31–27 win over Ole Miss in the VRBO Fiesta Bowl, Riply played the role of Trinidad Chambliss in practices leading up to the game. This week, he’s mimicking Hoosiers Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza — a player who has been as close to perfect in the playoffs as anyone in recent memory, and the leader of an undefeated Indiana team. 

“Every week it’s a new scheme,” Riply said. “You’ve got to adapt to their tendencies real quick. And Indiana, they’re well-rounded in all phases.” 

If Riply continues to operate at a high level, Miami should be more than ready. In an October interview, Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor praised Riply’s work preparing the team each week. 

“Luna, he can run,” Mesidor said. “We have receivers playing QB and running around, practice against it every week. For Florida and USF, we used him a lot because he’s a great athlete.” 

Quarterbacks tend to get most of the attention, but wide receiver has arguably become just as important in today’s pass-heavy game, giving Kolby plenty of opportunities as well. 

“Two weeks ago, I was Jeremiah Smith,” Kolby said. “It’s all about being efficient. Football is cutthroat, so you have to be efficient with your opportunities.” 

It hasn’t been all behind-the-scenes work for the Lunas. They appeared in four of Miami’s 15 games this season. But the scout team brings its own benefits, including consistent reps against one of the nation’s top defenses. 

“When we play against the ones, we try to win,” Riply said. “Our defense has some of the best football players in the country, including the two best defensive ends.” 

Those two ends, Rueben Bain Jr. and Mesidor, are expected to be high picks in April’s NFL draft. 

In their three seasons at Miami, the Hurricanes have returned to contention after years of middling records, and now they’re one win away from fully restoring the program to its former glory. 

Both Riply and Kolby credit the coaching staff, highlighting new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman as a major factor in this year’s run to the title game. 

“He (Hetherman) really preaches finishing plays,” Riply said. “We’ve been able to improve a lot throughout the season. That’s been huge for us.” 

From the physicality of practice to the challenges of learning a new scheme each week while still fulfilling their roles in Miami’s offense, the 2025 season has been a grind. But they wouldn’t have it any other way. 

The Hurricanes may be betting underdogs Monday night, but they’ve already embraced that role, and won, in two of their three playoff games. Despite the betting odds, they do hold one key advantage: Hard Rock Stadium. Miami will be the first team in the College Football Playoff era to host a national championship game in its home stadium. 

“They (Indiana) have traveled well throughout the playoffs, but I think it’s going to feel like a home game,” Kolby said. 

According to the Lunas, Miami’s keys to victory mirror what has worked all season: winning in the trenches on both sides of the ball and taking care of the football. 

Each week has brought a new favorite moment, especially the playoffs. Whether that was beating Texas A&M inside a raucous Kyle Field, knocking off the defending champs from Ohio State, or the last-second win over Ole Miss. But they’re hoping for one more. 

“The next game is always the most important one, but this game just means so much more,” Kolby said. “Hopefully, we’ll be attending a parade next week.” 

Miami and Indiana square off Monday, Jan. 19, with ESPN’s coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m.