FAYETTEVILLE — Jonathan Luigs was living in an offensive lineman’s paradise last winter.

Arkansas’ top lineman shared a piece of the Jacobs Trophy, given to the SEC’s best blocker, after helping the Razorbacks rush for a school-record 3, 725 yards in 2007.

Luigs earned an invitation to Orlando, Fla., for the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards show, where he won the Rimington Trophy — given to the nation’s top center — and he got to mess around with a NASCAR race car.

Team accomplishments helped highlight the ability of Luigs, who was a key cog for an offense that broke school records for total offense (450. 0 yards per game ) and scoring (37. 3 points per game ).

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One of Luigs’ career highlights occurred a year ago this week during the Razorbacks ’ epic 50-48 triple-overtime victory at No. 1 LSU.

The jubilation and unbridled emotion felt by the Razorbacks that afternoon in Baton Rouge, La., is a distant memory now, with Arkansas eliminated from postseason consideration heading into Friday’s finale against the Tigers.

But Luigs, from Pulaski Academy, is thankful all the same this Thanksgiving Day.

“I wouldn’t regret anything I’ve done,” Luigs said. “... I’m thankful for the chance to play.

“ I mean, it was a childhood dream of mine to be able to come up here.”

Luigs, a starter for all 49 games in his career, not only gets to play his final game at home Friday, he gets to play it in his hometown of Little Rock.

“For me, to be able to go back home and play — not many people get the chance to play this game, especially at this level — and for me to be blessed with that and for me to have the opportunity to be a Razorback, it’s been awesome.”

Luigs, a 6-4, 314-pounder with the quick smile and the rosy cheeks, also has the benefits of a close family, with parents Gary and Yvonne Luigs supporting him at every turn.

“I couldn’t be blessed more,” Luigs said. “They’ve made every single game I’ve played in... so that shows the support I have for my home life and what I’ve been blessed with for them to raise me the way they have.”

Humble would be one way to describe Luigs.

“He’s not big-headed,” senior tackle Jose Valdez said. “He’s the best center in the country and he doesn’t act like, hey, I won this or that and all. He’s humble about everything, a good teammate to have.”

Luigs broke into the starting lineup as a guard before his redshirt freshman season, after Zac Tubbs suffered a high ankle sprain, and he hasn’t been out of it since those high-anxiety days.

“I was nervous as hell,” he said of the immediate aftermath of filling in for Tubbs. “I didn’t get the start the way I should have, but for me to be able to step in there and start my career as a Razorback as a redshirt freshman, it was a dream come true.”

Luigs had the opportunity to pursue an NFL career last spring, but he opted to return for his senior season, which hasn’t been the smoothest of rides.

“It’s been tough,” Luigs said. “When you’re at something for four years and all of a sudden in the last year it’s changed, it’s tough to transition. But, at the same time, you’ve got to play football. It’s the same game and you’ve just got to keep playing.”

Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said earlier this month that Luigs was playing his best football of the season.

“He’s been very physical, very fast,” Petrino said. “I tell you what he possesses, not only the knowledge of the game and what to do, but he’s a tremendous athlete, to be able to be the size he is and bend and stay on his feet, be able to adjust and get through.”

Valdez described Luigs as a solid guy on and off the field.

“He’s great to have on the offensive line because he directs all the traffic,” Valdez said. “In the locker room, he’s a good person, always smiling, ain’t going to complain. He comes out and does his work and keeps going.”

First-year offensive line coach Mike Summers said Luigs has proved to be a special player and person.

“I’ve been so proud of how hard he’s fought through a pretty tough season,” Summers said. “He’s got quality character, and he doesn’t put on a show for anyone. He wears his good character everywhere he goes. You can always count on him to be consistent, and that’s what he’s done.”

Arkansas defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard, who has gone against Luigs in practice for parts of three seasons, calls the center a great person and a great player.

“You can’t say enough about Luigs,” Sheppard said. “He’s the best lineman I’ve faced in all my time here. He’s smart, he knows how to use his aggression in the right way, and he’s just a dedicated player.

“ He’s a leader, and he’s 100 percent football.”

Luigs, a consensus All-American last season, recognizes that reaping individual awards will be more difficult this season with the Hogs guaranteed a losing record, but he’s played his best.

“I’ve gotten better,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot with Coach Petrino and Coach Summers, different offenses and the way that goes.

“ Obviously, I think individual awards are a lot based on how your team does, and I don’t expect to get all the accolades I did last year. I don’t think my play reflects it.

“ When you’re in that situation, you’ve got to step up and be a leader and take it like a man, and I’ve done the best I could.”

Summers is likely to miss Luigs’ presence next season when he reshapes the next Arkansas line.

“Everything that you would want someone to be, he’s really answered the bell in terms of his effort and his commitment to what we’re trying to do,” Summers said.

Scouts project Luigs will be a middle-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, likely vying with Alabama’s Antoine Caldwell for the first center taken. At this stage, Luigs said he hasn’t turned the page to focus on the next phase of his career.

“I’ve got one more game, I’ve got a few more days as a Razorback, and I’m going to cherish those and put all I’ve got into them,” Luigs said. “Whatever happens in the future happens, but right now I’m going to cherish what I have.” At a glance POSITION Center CLASS Redshirt senior HEIGHT 6-4 WEIGHT 314 BIRTHDATE Aug. 11, 1986 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Rimington Trophy winner (2007 ); consensus All-American; co-winner of Jacobs Trophy in 2007 with Alabama’s Andre Smith, Jr.; will start his 50 th consecutive game vs. LSU on Friday. PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS The 10-4 season of 2006, which featured 10 consecutive victories; a 27-10 victory at No. 2 Auburn in 2006; Arkansas’ 50-48 triple-overtime victory at No. 1 LSU last November; developing life-long friendships.