University of Delaware Athletics
Phil Lutz is Ready to Step into the Role of Veteran Leader
3/19/2024 1:08:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – For University of Delaware football’s Phil Lutz, the 2024 season will be his sixth as a college football student-athlete, and his second wearing the Blue & Gold. As he enters his final season of eligibility, Lutz is looking to step into more of a leadership role in the Blue Hens’ talented wide receiver room following the departure of several upperclassmen at the position.
Lutz began his college career at NCAA Division III Tufts University. After a redshirt season his freshman year in 2019 when he appeared in just one game, and not having a 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lutz put up together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022. He totaled 154 receptions for 2,256 yards and 18 touchdowns over those two campaigns, averaging more than 125 receiving yards per game over that span.
The North Caldwell, N.J. native received his degree in history with a minor in finance last spring from Tufts. Knowing he had eligibility remaining and wanting to pursue a master’s degree, Lutz entered the transfer portal with the goal of playing football at the NCAA Division I level. He had multiple opportunities come his way, but it was Delaware that stuck out from the rest.
“I got connected with Coach Link and Coach Archer through one of my Tufts coaches. I came here, went on a tour in the spring and loved the facilities and campus,” said Lutz. “The facilities were a big plus for me. I just wanted to prove I could do more than I could at Division III based on my production there. I wanted to see what I could do against better competition.”
Lutz is enrolled in UD’s Lerner College of Business & Economics and is wrapping up his first year of a two-year MBA program. He joined the Blue Hens last summer after graduating from Tufts and enjoyed a solid first season in the Blue & Gold. Lutz appeared in all 13 games for the Hens, as he made 14 catches and totaled 208 yards and played a vital role on special teams. In October, Lutz had one of Delaware’s season highlights as he hauled in a 34-yard touchdown through pass interference against Duquesne.
“It was really a full circle moment, I worked so hard and felt that this opportunity was soaring towards me, I had to make that play,” recalled Lutz of his completion against the Dukes. “I’m here. I’m good enough to do this, and I’m going to do it. I basically blacked out during the celebration. I was super gassed up.”
First as a Hen for Phil Lutz! ?? pic.twitter.com/hVJKK61xKo
— Delaware Football (@Delaware_FB) October 7, 2023
As the calendar turns toward the 2024 season, Delaware is experiencing the most turnover at wide receiver out of all its position groups. The offense graduated its top three wide receivers from last year that combined for more than 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. In 2023, the Blue Hens had eight receivers who were in at least their fourth year of college and five who had recorded at least 1,000 career receiving yards. Now, during spring practices, Lutz is the only member of the wide receivers’ room that has played in more than 25 career games and recorded at least 100 career catches.
“I am trying to step into a veteran mindset, a leadership role. Become more of a vocal guy instead of just leading through action. I want to go out and help the team win. I think this year I put myself in a better position to help contribute, make those plays and lead the guys.”
One of the best ways to lead is by example and, as with anything, more repetitions lead to increased comfortability. With a full season under his belt, Lutz has settled into UD’s offense and believes that he now has the knowledge to help lead the younger receivers.
“I'm so much more comfortable now, with the quarterbacks especially, and with the playbook. When they call something, it sticks out to me, and I know what everybody’s doing and I know what I’m doing. When you know what you’re doing your confidence level rises and then you’re able to teach it because you know it and are doing it. If somebody else isn’t doing their exact job you can help make them right. Guys listen when they know you’re doing it right.”
Lutz knows that he doesn’t just need to be a leader on the field but that he can also impact the growth of some of Delaware’s young receivers in the meeting room and away from football. He is five years older than some of the incoming freshmen and the experience of five collegiate seasons has shown him what it mentally takes to successfully navigate a season.
“The most important thing for me is to try to stay grounded in such an emotional game. Managing your emotions with the highs and lows, keeping the middle ground, trying to fall back on preparation and knowing there’s a next time whether you did well or not. I have had such good mentors that have taught me that and everyone in the room is so hard working. The mental aspect, trying to perfect it, helping the guys handle the pressures of college football and lead them through stuff they need to help them be the best version of themselves on and off the field.”
Lutz is prepared to have a big season on the field in 2024, but he knows his impact with the Blue Hens can go far beyond the statistics page. He has already proven that he has the talent to play for the Blue Hens and he is excited to take on the next challenge of leading at this level.
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