Lawson Luckie showing signs of possible impact freshman
ATHENS, Ga. — Kirby Smart is wise with his words. He knows what to say, when to say it and how it’ll be interrupted. He’s not one to throw out praise that hasn’t been earned, and that’s why what he had to say about freshman tight end Lawson Luckie in just his first spring with the program was particularly impressive.
Luckie, the No. 8 tight end in the Class of 2023 according to the On3 Industry Ranking and No. 7 per On3’s in-house rankings, hauled in a 48 passes this past season as a senior at Norcross High School. In 12 games for the Blue Devils, Luckie totaled 633 receiving yards and eight receiving scores, plus another touchdown on the ground. Once his senior season was over though, he was quick to campus. Luckie arrived before National Signing Day even occurred and got right to work with the team. Smart said that’s been one of the biggest factors in his spring success.
“Lawson has grown up a lot,” Smart said on Saturday after the Bulldogs wrapped up their fourth week of spring practice. “I think nobody benefited more from bowl practice than Lawson Luckie. He just said, ‘You know what, I want to go to bowl practice’. He didn’t miss one bowl practice. He was there every day. He was everywhere with us. He traveled with the team, blocked people on scout team, scout special teams.”
“He jumped on seniors and followed them,” Smart continued. “He has grown up a lot and he’s getting very mature quickly. He’s not where he needs to be. I think he’d be the first to tell you he likes to consider himself a tough guy. He’s got a ways to go to be tough enough to be a physical blocker. He does have some savvy route running. He’s got really good hands. He continues to improve, but he can’t think that he’s all the way there.”
Georgia has built the reputation of “TEU” over the last few years. With Brock Bowers on board, that’s been easy, but he’s not the only productive tight end to make their way through Athens. The Bulldogs have had a player at the position picked in each of the last four NFL drafts, the only school that can claim that. They’re going to add another to that list this month when Darnell Washington is selected, and it’s probably a pretty safe bet to say that Bowers will continue the streak in 2024. Then there’s Oscar Delp, the nation’s No. 2 tight end in the Class of 2022, who’s entering his sophomore season on campus. On the recruiting trail, the No. 1 player for the position is committed in each of the next two classes – Landen Thomas (2024) and Elyiss Williams (2025). Todd Hartley deserves major credit for the talent he’s been able to bring into town, and got it in the form of a raise this offseason. That tradition of excellence seems like it’s likely to continue well into the future with freshman Lawson Luckie already earning his stripes in his first spring.
