MEDFORD - Tufts University senior wide receiver
Phil Lutz had the best season ever by a Jumbo wide receiver last year, breaking school records with both 74 receptions and 1,047 yards. He was the first 1,000-yard receiver in team history.
This year he's on pace for better than 1,200 yards, having caught 38 passes for 673 yards through five games. He's currently ranked fourth among NCAA Division III receivers for yards and is seventh in receptions per game (7.6).
"He's one of the best players we've had since I've been here," head coach
Jay Civetti said. "He does everything well. Literally."
In addition to his receiving skills, Lutz has needed some patience to emerge as one of the top receivers in Division III.
From North Caldwell, New Jersey, he was a play-maker on both sides of the ball as a receiver and defensive back at West Essex High School. Former Jumbo
Cam Carti, a New Jersey native who graduated last year, influenced Lutz's decision to come to Tufts. Lutz had met former assistant coach Randy Wright at a camp, but it was his friendship with Carti - who is Phil's best friend's brother's best friend - that helped seal the deal. Carti sold the team and the school to Lutz.
However, as a freshman at Tufts in 2019 Lutz did not play. He benefited from being part of a strong receiving group led by
Frank Roche,
OJ Armstrong and Brendan Dolan. Roche's 989 yards that season was the record that Lutz would break in 2021.
"I learned a lot from those guys watching them play," Lutz said. "A lot of technical stuff, like releases, how to run certain routes, how to beat certain defenses. I didn't have the college football mentality down yet, but I got a lot of experience learning from those vets which I think correlates to how I play today."
Lutz was in position to earn a leading role at receiver for his sophomore season in 2020. However, he would have to wait another year as the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March and eventually forced the cancelation of the football season.
"I think there was a level of frustration around the entire team," Lutz said. "We all came to play college ball because we love the game. It really brings you together, teaches you how to work hard, teaches you discipline. I know it took a toll on me, because football is my outlet. I've loved it since I was 10 years old, and that was the first year that I haven't played football since I started."
The Jumbos returned to the field at Trinity College on September 18, 2021. In his first collegiate game, Lutz scored his first collegiate touchdown on a fourth-and-22 play in the fourth quarter. Symbolically, it was the start of great things to come.
"It was a boost of confidence," he said. "For everyone else, it kind of gave them an idea of what I could do. I wanted to prove that I was able to be that guy who people can lean on and trust to make those plays. That was a moment I realized I could do it at the college level and I think, I hope, that the team and the coaching staff realized that as well."
With a good feel for how to beat a defense and strong hands for catching the ball, along with elusiveness and speed to add on yards after the catch, Lutz hasn't slowed down since. He had 104 yards and a touchdown the next week against Williams. He went for 118 yards at Amherst, then had a season-high 194 yards versus Wesleyan, and 182 yards later in the season against Colby. Lutz would earn NESCAC All-Conference first team accolades and was selected to the D3football.com All-East Region team.
He caught passes from three quarterbacks last year. Due to injuries, Tufts went from season starter
Trevon Woodson, to back-up
Matt Crowley and then to third-string freshman
Michael Berluti. Lutz and Berluti would develop a connection on and off the field that continues today. Now a sophomore QB, Berluti with Lutz as his top target has led the Jumbos to 339.2 passing yards per game this fall which ranks first in NESCAC and sixth nationally.
"Phil is one of the most dynamic receivers I have ever played with," Berluti said. "Although he is a fearless competitor when playing, off the field Phil is a kind, genuine, and trustworthy person who I am lucky to have not only as my teammate, but as a close friend as well."
Lutz is not the only talented receiver on the Jumbos. As he describes them, senior
Jackson Butler (175 yards, two touchdowns at Wesleyan last week) is a technician who runs perfect routes. Junior
Jaden Richardson is a "freak of nature" athlete who leads the Jumbos with six touchdowns this season. Sophomore
Cade Moore is a reliable play-maker who is always in the right spot and doing the right thing.
"We have an incredible group with talent across the board," Lutz said. "I think the most important thing though is that we have chemistry that I've never felt before. We mesh so well."
Lutz is also making the most of his academic pursuits as a history major coupled with a finance minor. Last semester he studied abroad in Florence, Italy together with teammates
Gio Arquilla,
Gary Kazanjian and
Will McCreery. Over the summer he worked as a real estate finance intern at A-CAP in New York City.
Though his individual achievements have been record-breaking, it's the sense of community he feels at Tufts which has stood out the most.
"It's the people that make it for me," Lutz said. "I've met the best people in the world. Every guy on the team, coaching staff included, the training staff, have created a selfless environment that you love to be a part of."
Written by Paul Sweeney, Athletic Communications Specialist
