Interview: 2023 Georgia TE Lawson Luckie is Creating Mismatches College Programs Love to See
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Thanks to the innovations at the high school level, more and more college programs are getting versatile talents on offense. One of the positions that has grown the most in the past decade has been the tight end. Initially lost in the shuffle in the Spread, a resurgence has taken place reminding offensive minded coaches that tight ends can do it all. One of those players filling that call for versatility and athleticism is Class of 2023 tight end/receiver/slot/H-back Lawson Luckie.
Luckie was one of the few freshmen players who was able to make an impact on an elite varsity team a year ago. During the 2019 season, Luckie put up receiving stats in five games with Norcross High School securing 10 for 96 yards against Georgia 7A squads. The 6-4, 225-pound, target has been relied upon more in 2020 with a stat line of 22 receptions for 306 yards with numbers posted in seven of the Blue Devils’ nine games played.
Even if all of Luckie’s talents are not being utilized to the fullest, college programs are catching on to the mismatches he can bring to their program. Arkansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and South Carolina have already dropped offers with national interest rising.
The Blue Devils are undefeated this season looking like serious contenders to hoist the trophy at the end of the playoffs. For an update on the team’s run thus far with his growth on the field, Luckie stopped by the RNG Lab.
Interview
Lawson, the Blue Devils are one of Georgia’s best ranked No. 7 in-state with a 9-0 record. All season the offense has been laying it on teams, what’s been working so well for you guys on that side of the ball this year?
We have no holes. We have a good player at every position, and we spread it out. With our team, we can score from everywhere on the field.
The offense looks multidimensional out of a spread attack. How would you describe the scheme to the rest of us outsiders?
We are an experience team that loves playing together; we are tight knit. This season we’ve been switch it up a lot with our offense. Sometimes they bring me inside, then we spread it out, or run trips. We are switching it up a lot.
In that attack you are utilized in a lot of ways lining up in the slot and as an H-back/tight end. How is your offensive coordinator utilizing your skills as a pass threat and with your blocking?
He uses me a lot in blocking. We are a run first team right now. He likes to create matchups on the outside with me where I can make a dude miss and get to the next level.
What are some of the routes you are running?
I run a lot of flat routes. We have speed on the outside. I am not needed deep until next year. This season I have been working underneath routes.
How have you seen your skills improve throughout the season?
My biggest thing is my blocking, that and I worked on my speed all summer. The No. 1 thing is my route running. I also worked on that all offseason.
Is there a part of your game that may get overshadowed with your pass receiving skills?
I feel like my ability to get downfield is overlooked, because I have not been used that way this year. But that is a strength of mine.
The next game up is Archer on Nov. 20. What kind of game are you guys expecting from the Tigers (5-3)?
They are one of the best teams we will play this season. We have to bring everything we have and leave it on the field, or we will not win.
Turning to recruiting. Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered yet?
My coach told me Notre Dame, North Carolina, and Texas A&M are showing interest. Those are the ones I hear about the most.
How many offers are you holding?
Four.
Which program was the first to offer?
I got Georgia Tech and Georgia on the same day.
Nice. In 2021, which schools might you go visit?
I want to go to Tech, Georgia, and South Carolina. Those are the ones I know of right now. The others I will figure out later.
Lawson, thanks for your time today and good luck in the big game against Archer.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Luckie family; Lawson Luckie