Luke McCaffrey
{{Short description|American football player (born 2001)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Luke McCaffrey
| image = Luke McCaffrey 2024.jpg
| alt =
| caption = McCaffrey with the Washington Commanders in 2024
| current_team = Washington Commanders
| number = 11
| position = {{hlist|Wide receiver|return specialist}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|4|2}}
| birth_place = Castle Rock, Colorado, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 198
| high_school = Valor Christian {{nowrap|(Highlands Ranch, Colorado)}}
| college = {{ubl|Nebraska (2019–2020)|Rice (2021–2023)}}
| draftyear = 2024
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 100
| pastteams =
- Washington Commanders ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 18
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 168
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Return yards
| statvalue4 = 299
| statlabel5 = Return touchdowns
| statvalue5 =
| pfr = McCaLu00
}}
Luke McCaffrey (born April 2, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Rice Owls, originally at quarterback before switching to wide receiver at Rice. McCaffrey was selected by the Commanders in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. A member of the McCaffrey football family, he is the son of Ed and the youngest brother of Max, Christian, and Dylan.
Early life
McCaffrey was born on April 2, 2001, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.{{Cite web |last=Brugler |first=Dane |title=The Beast: 2024 NFL Draft Guide |url=https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2024/04/11162958/TheBeast2024_MasterFile-8.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411212702/https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2024/04/11162958/TheBeast2024_MasterFile-8.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 14, 2024 |website=The Athletic |pages=72}} He attended Valor Christian High School, where he played for his father.{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Eric |date=November 17, 2020 |title="Ball of energy" Luke McCaffrey out to rev up Nebraska offense |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/11/17/luke-mccaffrey-nebraska-cornhuskers-offense/ |access-date=October 5, 2022 |website=The Denver Post|agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Wagner |first=Brent |date=December 13, 2018 |title=Future Husker with Luke McCaffrey: On Coach Verduzco, and having his former NFL player dad as his head coach |url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/football/future-husker-with-luke-mccaffrey-on-coach-verduzco-and-having-his-former-nfl-player-dad/article_2be43c08-81c0-55cb-8961-8501622b4762.html |access-date=October 6, 2022 |website=Lincoln Journal Star}} He mostly played wide receiver and defensive back during his first two years of high school while his brother, Dylan, was Valor Christian's starting quarterback. McCaffrey caught 47 passes for 717 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2017/05/ohio_state_joins_michigan_in_p.html|title=Ohio State joins Michigan in pursuit of Luke McCaffrey, brother of U-M signee Dylan McCaffrey|first=Matt|last=Wenzel|website=MLive.com|date=May 10, 2017|access-date=October 4, 2022}} He split quarterbacking duties during his junior season and completed 76 percent of his passes for 878 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.{{Cite web |last=Gabriel |first=Parker |date=June 4, 2018 |title='Nebraska is the place' for Colorado prep QB Luke McCaffrey, who pledges to Huskers |url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/football/nebraska-is-the-place-for-colorado-prep-qb-luke-mccaffrey-who-pledges-to-huskers/article_9a6c185f-a063-594e-a2b8-665219b57969.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=Lincoln Journal Star}} McCaffrey passed for 2,202 yards with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions while also rushing for 526 yards and eight touchdowns as Valor Christian went undefeated and won the Class 5A state championship.{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Patrick |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Luke McCaffrey signs with Nebraska; enriched by family football legacy |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/19/luke-mccaffrey-family-football-legacy-signs-with-nebraska/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=The Denver Post}} McCaffrey was rated a four-star recruit, and committed to play college football at Nebraska over offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Michigan, Ohio State, UCLA, and Mississippi.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2018/06/luke_mccaffrey_brother_of_mich.html|title=Luke McCaffrey, brother of Michigan QB, commits to Nebraska|first=Josh|last=Slagter|website=MLive.com|date=June 5, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/23697795/luke-mccaffrey-commits-nebraska-cornhuskers|title=Dual-threat QB Luke McCaffrey commits to Nebraska|first=Mitch|last=Sherman|website=ESPN.com|date=June 4, 2018|access-date=October 5, 2022}}
College career
=Nebraska (2019–2021)=
McCaffrey joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers as an early enrollee.{{cite web|url=https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/nu-qb-signee-luke-mccaffrey-excited-to-get-early-start-in-lincoln|title=GTK: NU QB signee Luke McCaffrey excited to get early start in Lincoln|first=Mike|last=Matya|website=Rivals.com|date=December 28, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/life-in-the-red/verduzco-thinks-freshman-quarterback-mccaffrey-will-be-hell-on-wheels/article_4f39270e-524f-5b84-8f64-83db79917ead.html|title=Verduzco thinks freshman quarterback McCaffrey will be 'hell on wheels'|work=Lincoln Journal Star|first=Parker|last=Gabriel|date=March 6, 2019|access-date=October 6, 2022}} He saw his first significant playing time in a 38–31 loss to Indiana, replacing Noah Vedral following an injury and completing 5 of 6 pass attempts for 71 yards and one touchdown while also rushing 12 times for 76 yards.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2019 |title=Huskers turn to No. 3 QB Luke McCaffrey after Noah Vedral injured |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/27935135/huskers-turn-no-3-qb-luke-mccaffrey-noah-vedral-injured |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} McCaffrey finished the season with 142 passing yards and two touchdown passes in four games while maintaining a redshirt for the year.{{cite web|url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/sipple/steven-m-sipple-mccaffreys-long-term-future-clearly-is-at-qb-but-wr-door-open/article_e8491c43-744a-533d-93d6-fd25819c2eda.html|title=Steven M. Sipple: McCaffrey's long-term future clearly is at QB, but WR door open for now|first=Steven M.|last=Sipple|work=Lincoln Journal Star|date=April 14, 2020|access-date=October 3, 2022}} He competed to be the Cornhuskers' starting quarterback in 2020, but Adrian Martinez was chosen to be the starter.{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Eric |date=October 19, 2020 |title=Adrian Martinez beats out Luke McCaffrey for Nebraska Cornhuskers' starting QB job |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/10/19/nebraska-qb-adrian-martinez-luke-mccaffrey/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=The Denver Post|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2126344/2020/10/09/nebraska-huskers-football-adrian-martinez-luke-mccaffrey-quarterback-competition-collaborate/|title=Sherman: Nebraska's Adrian Martinez, Luke McCaffrey can compete and collaborate|first=Mitch|last=Sherman|website=The Athletic|date=October 9, 2020|access-date=October 6, 2022}} McCaffrey made his first career start on November 14, 2020, against Penn State and completed 13 of 21 pass attempts for 152 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for 67 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |last=McKewon |first=Sam |date=November 14, 2020 |title=Husker quarterback Luke McCaffrey can rest easy after earning win in first career start |url=https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/football/husker-quarterback-luke-mccaffrey-can-rest-easy-after-earning-win-in-first-career-start/article_c54635cb-42fa-55c0-8248-b0dc35477b26.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=Omaha World-Herald}} He was benched in favor of Martinez after Nebraska lost 41–23 to Illinois.{{Cite web |last=Bland |first=Evan |date=November 23, 2020 |title=Luke McCaffrey 'is the future,' but that doesn't guarantee he'll start against Iowa |url=https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/football/luke-mccaffrey-is-the-future-but-that-doesnt-guarantee-hell-start-against-iowa/article_591b1b4b-cb26-5d0c-99df-9ede5a9705eb.html |access-date=October 5, 2022 |website=Omaha World-Herald}}{{Cite web |last=McKewon |first=Sam |date=January 31, 2021 |title=Why Wan'Dale Robinson and Luke McCaffrey left Nebraska |url=https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/football/frustration-covid-and-losing-why-wandale-robinson-and-luke-mccaffrey-left-nebraska/article_9b7c16d8-6187-11eb-8a5d-33d650995f89.html |access-date=October 5, 2022 |website=Omaha World-Herald}} McCaffrey played in seven games with two starts in 2020 and completed 48 of 76 pass attempts for 466 yards and one touchdown with six interceptions and rushed 65 times for 364 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Holt |first=Bob |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Dishing on Rice: Owls quiet about naming starting quarterback |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/aug/30/dishing-on-rice/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette}} Following the end of the season, McCaffrey entered the NCAA transfer portal.{{Cite web |last=Bland |first=Evan |date=January 31, 2021 |title=Luke McCaffrey is transferring from Nebraska after two seasons |url=https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/football/luke-mccaffrey-is-transferring-from-nebraska-after-two-seasons/article_4c3f5f36-5470-11eb-ba57-5f7816ac5aeb.html |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=Omaha World-Herald}}
=Rice (2021–2023)=
McCaffrey initially transferred to Louisville but left the program after several months to join the Rice Owls.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30945856/former-nebraska-cornhuskers-qb-luke-mccaffrey-transferring-louisville-cardinals|title=Former Nebraska Cornhuskers QB Luke McCaffrey transferring to Louisville Cardinals|first=Andrea|last=Adelson|website=ESPN.com|date=February 22, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/louisville-qb-luke-mccaffrey-leaves-program-less-than-four-months-after-transferring-in-from-nebraska/|title=Louisville QB Luke McCaffrey leaves program less than four months after transferring in from Nebraska|first=Ben|last=Kercheval|website=CBS Sports|date=June 9, 2021|access-date=October 3, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4209757/2021/06/14/qb-luke-mccaffrey-transferring-to-rice-after-leaving-louisville/|title=QB Luke McCaffrey transferring to Rice after leaving Louisville|first=Sam|last=Khan Jr.|website=The Athletic|date=June 14, 2021|access-date=October 3, 2022}} McCaffrey competed with Wiley Green for the starting quarterback job entering his first season with the team.{{Cite news |last=Luca |first=Greg |date=July 22, 2021 |title=New QB Luke McCaffrey, offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo boost Rice offense |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/New-QB-Luke-McCaffrey-offensive-coordinator-16333526.php |access-date=October 3, 2022 |work=Houston Chronicle}} He played in nine games with three starts.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/Article/Ex-Nebraska-QB-Luke-McCaffrey-discusses-Rice-career-position-change-191530131/|title=Ex-Nebraska QB Luke McCaffrey discusses Rice career, position change|first=Mariah|last=Guzman|website=247Sports.com|date=August 18, 2022|access-date=October 4, 2022}} McCaffrey moved to wide receiver during spring practices in 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Houston-Rice-football-preview-17452268.php|title=Up next for UH: Rice. An early look at the Owls.|work=Houston Chronicle|date=September 19, 2022|access-date=October 3, 2022 |last1=Duarte |first1=Joseph }} He finished the season as the Owls' leading receiver with 58 receptions for 723 yards and six touchdowns despite missing the final three games of the regular season due to an ankle injury and also rushed for 147 yards and one touchdown.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10059344-jt-daniels-to-transfer-to-rice-as-qbs-4th-team-won-cfp-championship-with-georgia|title=Report: JT Daniels to Transfer to Rice as QB's 4th Team; Won CFP Title with Georgia|first=Joseph|last=Zucker|website=Bleacher Report|date=December 21, 2022|access-date=December 27, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Scott |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Southern Miss making its postseason return at the LendingTree Bowl |url=https://www.sunherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/university-of-southern-mississippi/article269627771.html |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Sun Herald}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ College statistics ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="7"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Receiving | |||||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019
! Nebraska | 4 || 0 || 9 || 12 || 75 || 142 || 2 || – || 229.4 || 24 || 166 || 6.9 || 1 || 1 || 12 || 12 || – | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020
! Nebraska | 7 || 2 || 48 || 76 || 63.2 || 466 || 1 || 6 || 103.2 || 65 || 364 || 5.6 || 3 || 1 || 5 || 5 || – | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021
! Rice | 9 || 3 || 31 || 62 || 50 || 313 || 2 || 4 || 90.1 || 41 || 132 || 3.2 || 2 || – || – || – || – | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022
! Rice | 11 || 10 || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || 12 || 148 || 12.3 || 1 || 58 || 723 || 12.5 || 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2019
! Rice | 13 || 15 || 0 || 2 || – || – || – || – || – || 15 || 117 || 7.8 || – || 71 || 992 || 14 || 13 | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | Career{{cite web |title=Luke McCaffrey |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/luke-mccaffrey-1.html |website=College Football Reference |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=October 7, 2024}} | 44 | 29 | 88 | 152 | 57.9 | 921 | 5 | 10 | 106.5 | 157 | 927 | 5.9 | 7 | 131 | 1,732 | 13.2 | 19 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 5/8
| weight = 198
| dash = 4.46
| ten split = 1.52
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.02
| cone drill = 6.70
| vertical = 36.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 1
| bench =
| arm span = 30 1/8
| hand span = 9 5/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |last=Reuter |first=Chad |last2=Zierlein |first2=Lance |title=Luke McCaffrey Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/luke-mccaffrey/32004d43-4303-8410-9d97-2a58353f495e |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1030063&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout Luke McCaffrey College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 13, 2024}}
}}
McCaffrey was selected by the Washington Commanders in the third round (100th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft; the pick was acquired in a trade that sent Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers the previous season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/commanders-select-rice-wr-luke-mccaffrey-with-pick-no-100-of-2024-nfl-draft|work=NFL.com|title=Commanders select Rice WR Luke McCaffrey with pick No. 100 of 2024 NFL Draft|date=April 26, 2024|accessdate=April 27, 2024|first=Grant|last=Gordon}} He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 10, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Selby |first1=Zach |title=Commanders sign WR Luke McCaffrey, LB Jordan Magee, S Dominique Hampton, DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-sign-wr-luke-mccaffrey-lb-jordan-magee-s-dominique-hampton-de-javontae-jean-baptiste |website=Commanders.com |access-date=May 10, 2024 |date=May 10, 2024}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ NFL statistics ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Kick returns ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Average yards per reception}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Ret|Number of kickoff returns}} | {{abbr|Yds|Kickoff return yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Average kickoff return gain}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest kickoff return}} | {{abbr|TD|Kickoff return touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} | {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | WAS
| 17 || 4 || 18 || 168 || 9.3 || 30 || 0 || 10 || 299 || 29.9 || 47 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career{{cite web |title=Luke McCaffrey |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McCaLu00.htm |website=College Football Reference |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=January 7, 2025}} || 17 || 4 || 18 || 168 || 9.3 || 30 || 0 || 10 || 299 || 29.9 || 47 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
Personal life
McCaffrey is Catholic.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Jackson |date=May 11, 2021 |title=Christian McCaffrey uses a bible verse to push him to be fearless against intimidating opponents |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/christian-mccaffreys-favorite-bible-verse-2021-5 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} His father, Ed McCaffrey, played wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos and was formerly the head coach for the Northern Colorado Bears football team.{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2021/08/31/dylan-mccaffrey-ed-mccaffrey-cu-buffs-football-recruiting/|title=What if Dylan McCaffrey had gone to CU? What if Luke McCaffrey had chosen Buffs instead of Nebraska?|first=Sean|last=Keeler|work=The Denver Post|date=August 31, 2021|access-date=October 4, 2022}} His older brother, Christian, currently plays running back in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers.{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Eric |date=October 31, 2019 |title=Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey, Christian's baby brother, toughened up in backyard |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/10/31/luke-mccaffrey-nebraska-cornhuskers-quarterback/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=The Denver Post|agency=Associated Press}} Another brother, Max, played wide receiver at Duke and in the NFL for several teams and his brother Dylan was the starting quarterback at Northern Colorado after beginning his college career at Michigan.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/christian-mccaffrey-brothers-luke-dylan-ed-football/klsn5ks05ezt1xf7szmuhryx3|title=Meet Christian McCaffrey's brothers: Luke, Dylan up next in Ed McCaffrey's famous football family tree|first=Bill|last=Bender|website=Sporting News|date=October 31, 2020|access-date=October 5, 2022}} His maternal grandfather, Dave Sime, won a silver medal in the 100 meter at the 1960 Olympic Games.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/7dcfda2e634a49908f6784cd432bcb90|title=McCaffrey excited for 'opportunity to grow' at Nebraska|first=Evan|last=Bland|website=APNews.com|date=January 2, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Twitter|mccaffrey_luke}}
- [https://www.commanders.com/team/players-roster/luke-mccaffrey/ Washington Commanders profile]
- [https://riceowls.com/sports/football/roster/luke-mccaffrey/7535 Rice Owls profile]
- [https://huskers.com/sports/football/roster/luke-mccaffrey/41638 Nebraska Cornhuskers profile]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:McCaffrey, Luke}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:American football return specialists
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Catholics from Colorado
Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football players
Category:Players of American football from Colorado
Category:Rice Owls football players
Category:Sportspeople from the Denver metropolitan area