Wikipedia

Luke McCaffrey

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.

Luke McCaffrey
refer to caption
McCaffrey with the Washington Commanders in 2024
No. 12 – Washington Commanders
Position:
Personal information
Born: (2001-04-02) April 2, 2001 (age 23)
Castle Rock, Colorado, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)
College:
NFL draft:2024 / round: 3 / pick: 100
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2024
Receptions:18
Receiving yards:168
Return yards:299
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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McCaffrey was born on April 2, 2001, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.[1] He attended Valor Christian High School, where he played for his father.[2][3] 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.[4] He split quarterbacking duties during his junior season and completed 76 percent of his passes for 878 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7][8]

College career

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Nebraska (2019–2021)

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McCaffrey joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers as an early enrollee.[9][10] 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.[11] McCaffrey finished the season with 142 passing yards and two touchdown passes in four games while maintaining a redshirt for the year.[12] He competed to be the Cornhuskers' starting quarterback in 2020, but Adrian Martinez was chosen to be the starter.[13][14] 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.[15] He was benched in favor of Martinez after Nebraska lost 41–23 to Illinois.[16][17] 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.[18] Following the end of the season, McCaffrey entered the NCAA transfer portal.[19]

Rice (2021–2023)

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McCaffrey initially transferred to Louisville but left the program after several months to join the Rice Owls.[20][21][22] McCaffrey competed with Wiley Green for the starting quarterback job entering his first season with the team.[23] He played in nine games with three starts.[24] McCaffrey moved to wide receiver during spring practices in 2022.[25] 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.[26][27]

Statistics

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College statistics
Year School Games Passing Rushing 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 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 11 10 – – – – – – – 12 148 12.3 1 58 723 12.5 6
2023 13 15 0 2 – – – – – 15 117 7.8 – 71 992 14 13
Career[28] 44 29 88 152 57.9 921 5 10 106.5 157 927 5.9 7 131 1,732 13.2 19

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 1+5⁄8 in
(1.87 m) 		198 lb
(90 kg) 		30+1⁄8 in
(0.77 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.46 s 1.52 s 2.62 s 4.02 s 6.70 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
All values from NFL Combine[29][30]

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.[31] He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 10, 2024.[32]

Statistics

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NFL statistics
Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2024 WAS 14 4 17 155 9.1 30 – – –
Career 14 4 17 155 9.1 30 – – –

Personal life

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McCaffrey is Catholic.[33] 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.[34] His older brother, Christian, currently plays running back in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers.[35] 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.[36] His maternal grandfather, Dave Sime, was an athlete and won a silver medal in the 100 meter at the 1960 Olympic Games.[37]

References

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  1. ^ Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2024 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. p. 72. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Olson, Eric (November 17, 2020). ""Ball of energy" Luke McCaffrey out to rev up Nebraska offense". The Denver Post. Associated Press. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  3. ^ Wagner, Brent (December 13, 2018). "Future Husker with Luke McCaffrey: On Coach Verduzco, and having his former NFL player dad as his head coach". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  4. ^ Wenzel, Matt (May 10, 2017). "Ohio State joins Michigan in pursuit of Luke McCaffrey, brother of U-M signee Dylan McCaffrey". MLive.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  5. ^ Gabriel, Parker (June 4, 2018). "'Nebraska is the place' for Colorado prep QB Luke McCaffrey, who pledges to Huskers". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Saunders, Patrick (December 19, 2018). "Luke McCaffrey signs with Nebraska; enriched by family football legacy". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  7. ^ Slagter, Josh (June 5, 2018). "Luke McCaffrey, brother of Michigan QB, commits to Nebraska". MLive.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  8. ^ Sherman, Mitch (June 4, 2018). "Dual-threat QB Luke McCaffrey commits to Nebraska". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  9. ^ Matya, Mike (December 28, 2018). "GTK: NU QB signee Luke McCaffrey excited to get early start in Lincoln". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  10. ^ Gabriel, Parker (March 6, 2019). "Verduzco thinks freshman quarterback McCaffrey will be 'hell on wheels'". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  11. ^ "Huskers turn to No. 3 QB Luke McCaffrey after Noah Vedral injured". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  12. ^ Sipple, Steven M. (April 14, 2020). "Steven M. Sipple: McCaffrey's long-term future clearly is at QB, but WR door open for now". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  13. ^ Olson, Eric (October 19, 2020). "Adrian Martinez beats out Luke McCaffrey for Nebraska Cornhuskers' starting QB job". The Denver Post. Associated Press. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  14. ^ Sherman, Mitch (October 9, 2020). "Sherman: Nebraska's Adrian Martinez, Luke McCaffrey can compete and collaborate". The Athletic. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  15. ^ McKewon, Sam (November 14, 2020). "Husker quarterback Luke McCaffrey can rest easy after earning win in first career start". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  16. ^ Bland, Evan (November 23, 2020). "Luke McCaffrey 'is the future,' but that doesn't guarantee he'll start against Iowa". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  17. ^ McKewon, Sam (January 31, 2021). "Why Wan'Dale Robinson and Luke McCaffrey left Nebraska". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  18. ^ Holt, Bob (August 31, 2021). "Dishing on Rice: Owls quiet about naming starting quarterback". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  19. ^ Bland, Evan (January 31, 2021). "Luke McCaffrey is transferring from Nebraska after two seasons". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  20. ^ Adelson, Andrea (February 22, 2021). "Former Nebraska Cornhuskers QB Luke McCaffrey transferring to Louisville Cardinals". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  21. ^ Kercheval, Ben (June 9, 2021). "Louisville QB Luke McCaffrey leaves program less than four months after transferring in from Nebraska". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  22. ^ Khan Jr., Sam (June 14, 2021). "QB Luke McCaffrey transferring to Rice after leaving Louisville". The Athletic. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  23. ^ Luca, Greg (July 22, 2021). "New QB Luke McCaffrey, offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo boost Rice offense". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  24. ^ Guzman, Mariah (August 18, 2022). "Ex-Nebraska QB Luke McCaffrey discusses Rice career, position change". 247Sports.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  25. ^ Duarte, Joseph (September 19, 2022). "Up next for UH: Rice. An early look at the Owls". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  26. ^ Zucker, Joseph (December 21, 2022). "Report: JT Daniels to Transfer to Rice as QB's 4th Team; Won CFP Title with Georgia". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  27. ^ Watkins, Scott (December 5, 2022). "Southern Miss making its postseason return at the LendingTree Bowl". Sun Herald. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  28. ^ "Luke McCaffrey". College Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  29. ^ "Luke McCaffrey Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  30. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Luke McCaffrey College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  31. ^ Gordon, Grant (April 26, 2024). "Commanders select Rice WR Luke McCaffrey with pick No. 100 of 2024 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  32. ^ Selby, Zach (May 10, 2024). "Commanders sign WR Luke McCaffrey, LB Jordan Magee, S Dominique Hampton, DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste". Commanders.com. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  33. ^ Thompson, Jackson (May 11, 2021). "Christian McCaffrey uses a bible verse to push him to be fearless against intimidating opponents". Business Insider. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  34. ^ Keeler, Sean (August 31, 2021). "What if Dylan McCaffrey had gone to CU? What if Luke McCaffrey had chosen Buffs instead of Nebraska?". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  35. ^ Olson, Eric (October 31, 2019). "Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey, Christian's baby brother, toughened up in backyard". The Denver Post. Associated Press. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  36. ^ Bender, Bill (October 31, 2020). "Meet Christian McCaffrey's brothers: Luke, Dylan up next in Ed McCaffrey's famous football family tree". Sporting News. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  37. ^ Bland, Evan (January 2, 2019). "McCaffrey excited for 'opportunity to grow' at Nebraska". APNews.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
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