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Dynamic Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey is putting his talents on full display at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL. The quarterback turned pass catcher is hoping to boost his NFL stock ahead of the draft in April.
McCaffrey has reportedly been in contact with professional teams, including the New England Patriots. While he’d gladly suit up for any team looking to utilize his services, he teased maybe his most preferred landing spot while speaking with the media this week.
McCaffrey was a versatile player with the Owls, spending the majority of his time at receiver.
He blossomed into a star with the program, hauling in 129 catches for 1,715 yards over his last two seasons. That included a monster senior year in which he totaled more than 1,100 yards from scrimmage with 13 receiving scores – good for 6th-most in college football!
Prior to his time at Rice, he was recruited to Nebraska as a three-star signal caller.
You likely recognize the name by now. Luke is the younger brother of running back Christian, and he’s looking to continue an NFL family legacy that started with father Ed.
With the youngest McCaffrey’s college career now wrapped up, the focus has turned to the next level.
Participating at the Senior Bowl, he’s already turning heads with his shiftiness and ability to make contested catches. Earlier this week, he was seen make an impressive touchdown snag on a pass from Michael Penix.
Luke McCaffrey TOUCHDOWN 🙌pic.twitter.com/BxQ65Qk0cq
— Real Friends & Football (@rff_football) February 1, 2024
While considered a late round draft pick in this year’s selection event, he could be an under-the-radar type player that makes contributions both on special teams and in the slot.
He’s reportedly heard from a number of teams, including New England.
Luke McCaffrey names preferred NFL landing spot.
McCaffrey is one of a number of Senior Bowl prospects the Patriots have scouted, including quarterback Spencer Rattler.
The #Patriots have met with the following players at the Senior Bowl:
South Dakota RB Isaiah Davis
Rice WR Luke McCaffrey
Minnesota TE Brevyn Spann-Ford
Florida OL Kingsley Eguakun
Baylor DL Gabe Hall
Notre Dame CB Cam Hart
Oregon DB Evan Williams
Utah DB/RB Sione Vaki
Utah LB… pic.twitter.com/Ot23GkGMwZ— Carlos (@LosTalksPats) February 1, 2024
Many believe it to be the perfect fit given the organization’s history of success in developing players with a similar skillset.
Both Julian Edelman and Wes Welker played other positions before transitioning to slot receivers, and both were integral in Super Bowl runs in New England. Could McCaffrey be the next great find?
Maybe so, but it seems the wideout likes the idea of playing alongside his brother even more.
While speaking with the media this week, he teased the possibility of joining Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
Rice’s ⭐️ Wide Receiver Luke McCaffrey brother of #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey said “It would be a dream come true to play for the 49ers.” #49wz pic.twitter.com/LNdo1spoCF
— WayneBreezie (@thewaynebreezie) January 31, 2024
“It would be a dream come true,” McCaffrey said when asked about being selected by the 49ers.
“[Everyone] spends a little time growing up [with siblings] pretending you’re in the biggest game in the world together, counting down the shot clock, whether it’s in basketball or something else. That’s something you dream about your whole life.”
His brother will soon play in football’s biggest game when San Francisco lines up against the Chiefs on Super Bowl Sunday.
Time will tell where Luke McCaffrey ends up, whether that be in the NFL Draft or as a free agent. We now know of one place that might top the list.