Wil Lutz

William “Wil” Lutz (born July 7, 1994) is an American football placekicker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia State.

For the linguist, see William D. Lutz.

Wil Lutz
No. 16 – Denver Broncos
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1994-07-07) July 7, 1994
Newnan, Georgia, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:184 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school:Northgate (Newnan, Georgia)
College:Georgia State (2012–2015)
Undrafted:2016
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2023
Field goals made:177
Field goals attempted:208
Field goal %:85.1
Longest field goal:60
Touchbacks:396
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life

Lutz was born in Newnan, Georgia. Both his mother and father, Julie and Robert (Bob) Lutz, work in education and together have another son, Wesley.[1] His mother served in various education jobs throughout Lutz's childhood, including as a principal of Canongate Elementary School in Sharpsburg, Georgia[2] and more recently, as the assistant dean at Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia.[3] His father, Bob, was a middle school science teacher at Madras Middle School in Newnan for a number of years.[4]

Lutz attended Northgate High School in Newnan, where he competed in American football, soccer and cross country running. In his senior year, the Northgate Vikings went undefeated (9–0) in the regular season.[5] The team defeated North Clayton High School in the first round of the Georgia AAAA football playoffs, before falling to East Paulding High School in the second round, concluding Lutz's high school football career. Lutz then enrolled at Georgia State University.

College career

Lutz was the kickoff specialist during the 2012 season and became the placekicker for Georgia State after four games. At the end of the 2012 season, Lutz made 4-of-7 (57%) field goals and was a perfect 18-for-18 on extra points.[6] Lutz attempted his first field goal against William & Mary.[7] Lutz kicked a season-long 40-yard field goal against Rhode Island.[8]

At the end of the 2013 season, Lutz made 8-of-12 (67%) field goals and 25-of-26 (96%) extra points for 49 points.[6] Lutz kicked a school record 53-yard field goal against Alabama.[9]

Lutz was named the punter as well midway through the 2014 season. Phil Steele named Lutz to the Midseason All-Sun Belt first team. Lutz finished the 2014 season kicking 7-for-8 (88%) on field goals and 35-for-35 on extra points.[6] Lutz averaged 39.0 yards on 16 punts.[10] Lutz kicked a 26-yard game-winning field goal with four seconds left to lift GSU to a 38–37 victory over Abilene Christian in the 2014 season-opener.[11]

Lutz was the punter and the placekicker for the 2015 season. Lutz averaged 44.3 yards on 65 punts, the second-best season average in school history.[12] Lutz ended the 2015 season kicking 12-for-19 (63%) on field goals and 42–43 (98%) on extra points for 78 total points.[6] Lutz scored a career-high 11 points with two field goals and five extra points against Texas State.[13]

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

On May 5, 2016, Lutz signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft.[14] He was waived by the Ravens on August 29, 2016.[15]

New Orleans Saints

On September 5, 2016, Lutz signed with the New Orleans Saints.[16]

On September 18, 2016, against the New York Giants, Lutz had a field goal blocked by Johnathan Hankins, which was recovered by Janoris Jenkins for a Giants touchdown. On October 16, 2016, Lutz kicked a game-winning 52-yard field goal to defeat the Carolina Panthers, 41–38.[17] On October 30, 2016, Lutz kicked a career-best four field goals against the Seattle Seahawks.[18][19] Lutz earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 6 and Week 8 of the 2016 season.[20][21] The only other Saints rookies to win the honor twice in a season were punter Thomas Morstead and returner Reggie Bush.[20] On December 18, 2016, Lutz made the 22nd and 23rd field goals of his rookie season, setting the record for the most field goals made by a rookie in franchise history.[22] Lutz ended the season with 28 successful field goals.[23] Lutz was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team for 2016.[24]

On September 11, 2017, Lutz tied his career high with four field goals in the season opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.[25]

On September 30, 2018, Lutz matched his career-high of four field goals, in a Week 4 victory over the New York Giants.[26] Lutz was later named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September 2018, having made 10 of 11 attempted field goals and 11 of 11 extra-point attempts.[27]

On March 13, 2019, Lutz signed a five-year contract extension with the Saints.[28][29]

In Week 1 of the 2019 season, against the Houston Texans, Lutz was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points and 3-of-4 field goals.[30] His 58-yard game-winning field goal was the longest game-winning field goal with no time remaining in the fourth quarter or overtime in a season opening game in NFL history. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.[31]

In Week 2 of the 2020 season, against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football, Lutz scored the first points in Allegiant Stadium history and the first ever points scored in the NFL in Las Vegas when he kicked a 31-yard field goal on the opening drive of the game.[32] In Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Lutz was a perfect 3 for 3 on field goal attempts and 3 for 3 on extra point attempts (scoring a total of 12 points) during the 30–27 win. On October 14, 2020, Lutz was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 5.[33]

On September 6, 2021, Lutz was placed on injured reserve.[34][35]

Lutz returned from his injury for the 2022 season. He recorded converted all 33 extra point attempts and 23 of 31 field goal attempts in 17 games.[36]

Denver Broncos

On August 29, 2023, Lutz was traded to the Denver Broncos for a 2024 seventh-round pick.[37]

NFL career statistics
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high
Year Team GP Field Goals Extra Points Points
FGAFGMLngPctXPAXPMPct
2016NO 1634285782.4504998.0133
2017NO 1636315386.1504794.0140
2018NO 1630285493.3535298.1136
2019NO 1636325888.9494898.0144
2020NO 1628235382.1585798.3126
2021 NO did not play due to injury
2022NO 1731236074.23333100.0102
Career971951656084.629328697.6781

References
  1. Walden, Becky (October 22, 2015). "Lutz finishes accomplished career". The Signal. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  2. "Back-to-School 2013-2014 Directory". Newnan Times-Herald. July 24, 2013.
  3. "Julie Lutz". Truett McConnell University. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  4. "Bob Lutz wins 2016 Madras Middle School Teacher of the Year". Twitter. February 24, 2016.
  5. "Schedule - Northgate Vikings 2011 Football (Newnan, GA)". maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  6. "Wil Lutz Stats – Season & Career Statistics". Fox Sports. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  7. "Georgia State vs. William & Mary – Game Recap – September 29, 2012 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  8. "Georgia State vs. Rhode Island – Box Score – October 13, 2012 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  9. "Georgia State vs. Alabama – Box Score – October 5, 2013 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  10. "2014 Georgia State Panthers". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  11. "Georgia State Football: Lutz's game winning kick vs. Abilene Christian". YouTube. Georgia State Athletics. August 27, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  12. "2015 Georgia State Panthers". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  13. "Georgia State vs. Texas State – Box Score – November 14, 2015 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  14. "Ravens Sign 11 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents". baltimoreravens.com. May 6, 2016. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  15. Mink, Ryan (August 29, 2016). "Ravens Place Benjamin Watson & Kyle Arrington On IR, Release 9 Other Players". baltimoreravens.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  16. Erickson, Joel A. (September 6, 2016). "Saints choose rookie kicker Wil Lutz over Kai Forbath". The Advocate. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  17. "Wil Lutz hits 52-yard go-ahead field goal with 11 seconds left in the game". NFL.com. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  18. Anderson, Roy (October 30, 2016). "New Orleans Saints: Rookie kicker Wil Lutz shines in win over Seahawks". Who Dat Dish. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  19. Finney, Peter (October 31, 2016). "Drew Brees carries New Orleans Saints past Seattle Seahawks 25-20". UPI. Retrieved March 14, 2019. Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 22, 53, 21 and 41 yards, the last with 1:57 left to give the Saints a 25-20 lead and force the Seahawks to score a touchdown to win.
  20. Triplett, Mike (October 8, 2016). "Saints' Wil Lutz named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  21. "Saints kicker Wil Lutz named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week". neworleanssaints.com. November 2, 2016. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  22. "Sean Payton ties Jim Mora for most coaching wins in New Orleans Saints history". neworleanssaints.com. December 18, 2016. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  23. "Drew Brees, Mark Ingram and Michael Thomas hit milestones". neworleanssaints.com. January 1, 2017. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  24. Kaskey-Blomain, Michael (January 17, 2017). "Michael Thomas, Wil Lutz named to PFWA All-Rookie Team". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  25. "Saints vs. Vikings: Postgame notes". neworleanssaints.com. September 11, 2017. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  26. "Kamara runs for 3 second-half TDs, Saints beat Giants 33-18". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2019. Kamara ran for three second-half touchdowns, Wil Lutz matched his career high with four field goals and the Saints' defense shut down the New York Giants after giving up an early touchdown in a 33-18 win on Sunday.
  27. "New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month". neworleanssaints.com. October 4, 2018. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  28. "Kicker Wil Lutz signs five-year contract with New Orleans Saints". neworleanssaints.com. March 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  29. Patra, Kevin (March 13, 2019). "Saints agree to five-year deal with kicker Wil Lutz". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  30. "Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints - September 9th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  31. "Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott among Players of the Week". NFL.com. September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  32. Mosley, Kyle T. (September 21, 2020). "Week 2: Saints at Raiders GameDay Live Blog & Thread". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  33. Gordon, Grant (October 14, 2020). "Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, Steelers WR Chase Claypool among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  34. Fazende, Sean (September 6, 2021). "Saints add Hogan and Siemian; place Clapp, Lutz and Vannett on IR". WAFB. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  35. Sigler, John (October 26, 2021). "Saints kicker Wil Lutz says he won't play in 2021 after post-surgery setback". Saints Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  36. "Wil Lutz 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  37. Legwold, Jeff (August 29, 2023). "Broncos trade for Saints kicker Lutz, sources say". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
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