The commitments just keep coming for Syracuse Football. Inside the Loud House looks at the newest recruit: WR Cooper Lutz
Last Thursday, the Syracuse Football received another commitment in the class of 2018 Cooper Lutz. The Slot Receiver/Running Back averaged nine yards per carry last season at Berks Catholic in Reading, Pennsylvania. Lutz missed eight games last year with a with a broken leg, according to Syracuse.com. However, he still managed to rack up 601 yards. In his sophomore season, Lutz impressed rushing for 997 yards and 14 TD’s. He achieved that mark by getting over 10 yards per carry.
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Although Lutz is a running back for his high school, he projects to be one of those key slot receivers in the Dino Babers offense. A high school track star, Lutz is not only quick, but his 6’1, 195-pound frame is nice to have at his position. Slot receivers will be coming across to catch short passes. In the ACC, linebackers and safeties will be trying to lay the boom, and a quick, built slot receiver is what Babers and the Orange need. Some of the other slot receivers like Sean Riley and new receiver Nykeim Johnson, are much smaller.
Lutz is a prospect flying a bit under the radar due to his injury during his junior season. However, his numbers during his sophomore season are reason for optimism.
A Look At the Tape:
Lutz is a natural in the open field, and it becomes evident at the :18 mark when Lutz takes the handoff in the backfield on a sweep play. Originally, the play looks to be stretching to the edge, but Lutz stops on a dime, and makes a nice cut back to the middle of the field. Once there, he has the defense moving in the opposite direction, and his sprinter speed allows him to break away for the TD.
At the 2:55 mark we see Lutz actually lined up in the slot, the position he will likely play at Syracuse. He runs just a simple crossing route across the middle, but more importantly, he shows off his great football IQ. He receives the TD pass as he is wide-open. Lutz seems to really read the game well, can find openings and has great vision in the open field.
https://twitter.com/coopaprob2/status/855131510478950400
Once again at the 3:58 mark, we see Lutz take the sweep out of the backfield. Lutz uses that great vision to recognize that he has the edge. Although he gets beat on the angle to try and fully get around the corner, Lutz lowers his shoulder and fights for some hard earned yards. This is what the Syracuse inside receivers currently lack. They need to be able to hold their own over the middle.
The Reading, PA native really starts to lower his shoulder and show some aggressive running from the 3:58 mark on. I think Lutz has a really bright future in Orange, and he could maybe even fight for some early playing time. His speed plus his physical running style is exactly what Syracuse Football needs out of its slot receivers.
Welcome Cooper!