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Position: Running Back
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 205 lbs
Hometown: Reading, Pa.
High School: Berks Catholic
2020 stats: Lutz benefited from the volatile environment of the running back room last year with injuries pushing him up the depth chart. He appeared in 10 games and rushed for 246 yards on 43 attempts with one touchdown. That included an 80-yard touchdown run against Notre Dame.
2021 projections: With his performance last year, Lutz has cemented himself as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart, even with the return of Abdul Adams and Jarveon Howard. His biggest positive is his pass-catching skills. Remember that Lutz started his SU career as an inside receiver, and those receiving skills continue to come in handy as an extra pair of hands for whoever is at quarterback for the Orange.
How’d he get here?: Lutz only gathered three other offers from Army, Columbia, and Navy.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars from 247sports and ESPN, two stars from Rivals. We need to do something about this Rivals disrespect.
Money quote: If you didn’t think that Lutz could keep his spot on the two-deep with Adams and Howard returning, Babers realizes not only his skill, but also his unique football IQ.
Jarveon Howard and Abdul Adams return to the team having contributed in previous seasons, but Lutz “sees something that normally guys don’t see,” Babers said.
“Sean has it as well, but you didn’t know that Cooper had it,” Babers said. “I think Cooper is really good. I think people look at him and go, ‘ahh, I don’t know,’ but if you just watch the production and watch what he does, I think those two guys are really good.”
Twitter feed: @coopaprob2
Tweets of wonder: Just a reminder of how improbable Syracuse’s rushing game from Tucker and Lutz was last season.
Cooper Lutz is just the second opposing running back to go over 80 yards against Notre Dame’s defense this season. The first is his teammate Sean Tucker, who did it earlier today.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) December 5, 2020
hat movie would Dino recommend for him?: Bradley Cooper is such a diverse actor, and one of my favorite movies (and probably Dino’s) is “American Sniper.” Cooper plays the lead role of Chris Kyle, one of America’s best snipers in modern times.
Interesting nugget o’interest: Cooper’s high school coach is named Rick Keeley. No word if Sean has an alter ego in Pennsylvania to pump new talent to Central New York.
Let’s get a look at ya: Here’s that 80-yard TD run against Notre Dame.
Cooper Lutz goes 80 yards! pic.twitter.com/PxXyNPEeR2
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 5, 2020