Only recently turned 18, Luff will play in the Tigers team next year in the Toyota Cup competition, a perfect launching pad for a full-scale career in the NRL.

The transition from the under-18 year's S G Ball premiership with Western Suburbs this year allows Luff to follow a well-trodden track to possible rugby league stardom.

Currently studying for the HSC, Luff is a student at St Gregory's College at Campbelltown, a school with a fabulous history steeped in football.

Over the decades, St Gregory's College has been a wonderful nursery for top-class players, with the honour roll including such luminaries as Jack Gibson, Trent Barrett, Simon Bonetti, Jason Taylor, Eric Grothe junior and Ryan Hoffman.

Even more significantly, Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is also on the list of notable alumni of St Gregory's College.

James Luff's father Bill yesterday described as "fantastic" his son's deal with Wests Tigers.

Speaking from his Gundagai property, Bill Luff said James was "pretty excited" about his upcoming football year.

"Bloody oath," Bill said.

"James really wants to make it in the NRL.

"That's what he wants to do (after school)."

For James Luff, playing football of all persuasions has been a virtual career during his time at school.

"He (James) actually played 45 games of footy this year," Bill said.

"That includes rugby union on Saturdays and league on Thursdays at St Greg's."

In between, James also managed to play the entire season at Wests in the S G Ball premiership and a handful of games for Gundagai in the Group Nine premiership. As part of his emergence as a stylish hooker, James stepped up to replace regular first grade Mark Elphick in the Gundagai team when the senior player was injured.

James was also given a spot on the bench for the Tigers for the Group Nine grand final, which they lost 20-18 to Southcity.

Set to graduate next month, but unsure whether to head to university or TAFE, James will be part of a group of highly talented St Gregory's students heading to various NRL clubs.

"Eleven of the boys have contracts," Bill said.

"Two are going to Penrith, two to St George, one to Melbourne and the rest are spread around the other clubs."

James Luff, who only signed with Wests Tigers on Thursday, will leave St Gregory's College with a superb sporting resume.

This year he was the school's sportsman of the year, winning the cross country, finishing second on the pointscore at the swimming and athletics carnivals and captaining the second XI in cricket. The young hooker also boasts an impeccable league pedigree, with his mother, Debbie, the daughter of esteemed former Group Nine president Maurie Kelly.