Is Luke McCaffrey related to Christian McCaffrey? What to know of 2024 NFL Draft prospect

Luke McCaffrey is one of the most intriguing players in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 23-year-old wide receiver's career began as a quarterback at Nebraska and ended as a wide receiver with Rice. McCaffrey concluded his career with a 992-yard season on 72 receptions as a redshirt senior, ultimately earning an invite to the 2024 NFL Combine.

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McCaffrey comes from a strong football pedigree, with his dad and brothers each having success in college. Here's what you need to know about McCaffrey, including his family, who his brother is, and his scouting report and NFL draft scouting report.

Is Luke McCaffrey related to Christian McCaffrey, Dylan McCaffrey?

Luke McCaffrey's most famous family member is his older brother, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.

The All-Pro running back played collegiately at Stanford — where their father, Ed McCaffrey, played from 1986-90 before a 13-year NFL career — under then-Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh. Luke McCaffreys mother, Lisa McCaffrey, also played soccer at Stanford.

Eldest brother Max McCaffrey attended Duke before playing on NFL practice squads from 2006-09 and is now an assistant coach for the Miami Dolphins.

Then there's Dylan McCaffrey, who played like older brother Christian played for Harbaugh — at Michigan. The No. 2 player from the state of Colorado in the 2017 recruiting class, Dylan McCaffrey played in the 2018 and 2019 seasons for the Wolverines before opting out in 2020 amid the COVID-19-affected season.

He finished his career with two seasons at Northern Colorado in 2021 and 2022.

Luke McCaffrey stats

Here is a year-by-year look at McCaffrey's stats at Nebraska and with Rice.

• Career: 131 receptions for 1,712 yards (13.2 yards per catch) and 19 touchdowns; 157 rushes for 927 yards (5.9 yards per carry); 88 of 152 passing for 921 yards, 5 touchdowns and 10 interceptions

• 2019: One reception for 12 yards; 24 rushes for 166 yards (6.9 yards per carry); 4 of 9 passing, 142 yards, two touchdowns

• 2020: One reception for 5 yards; 65 rushes for 364 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and three touchdowns; 48 of 76 passing for 466 yards, one touchdown and six interceptions

• 2021 (Rice): 41 rushes for 132 yards (3.2 yards per carry); 31 of 62 passing for 313 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions

• 2022: 58 receptions for 723 yards (12.5 yards per catch) and six touchdowns; 12 rushes for 148 yards (12.3 yards per carry) and one touchdown

• 2023: 71 receptions for 992 yards (14.0 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns; 15 rushes for 117 yards (7.8 yards per carry); 0 of 2 passing

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Luke McCaffrey high school

Luke McCaffrey played at Valor Christian High School in Littletown, Colorado, for his father, Ed McCaffrey. He played mostly defensive back and wide receiver, while his brother Dylan McCaffrey was the starting quarterback. As a sophomore, Luke had 47 catches for 717 yards and nine touchdowns. As a junior, he split time at QB, completing 76% of his passes for 878 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.

In his senior season, Luke McCaffrey threw for 2,189 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions while also adding 556 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, leading Valor Christian to an undefeated season and the Class 5A state championship.

Luke McCaffrey recruiting

Luke McCaffrey was rated a four-star recruit, ranked No. 269 overall, the No. 14 athlete and the top overall player in the 2019 recruiting class by 247Sports Composite rankings. Luke McCaffrey committed to Nebraska over offers from Colorado, Michigan, Ohio State, UCLA, Mississippi and Colorado State.

He was the only quarterback that former Cornhuskers coach Scott Frost signed in that class.

Why did Luke McCaffrey transfer to Rice, change positions?

Following Luke McCaffrey's redshirt freshman season, he entered the transfer portal and moved on to Louisville. However, after spending just the spring with the Cardinals, he re-entered the portal.

Rice became a destination with Mike Bloomgren in his fourth year as the coach. Bloomgren had previously been a coordinator for Stanford when Christian McCaffrey was there. Because Luke McCaffrey was not placed on a scholarship and did not attend a class, he did not have to sit out a season for his second transfer. After leaving Nebraska and Louisville to remain a quarterback, Luke McCaffrey jumped into the competition for the starting role.

However, Luke McCaffrey said he began exploring the idea of a position switch following his redshirt freshman season. Bloomgren and offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo approached him with the opportunity to do so.

“One thing that I’m super thankful for about Coach Bloom and Coach Tui is they really left the decision to me,” Luke McCaffrey said. “They never pressured me into switching positions. I just felt like where I was at in my career and what I wanted, it was the best decision for me to switch. To make that transition, it’s been an awesome decision and the way it was done through Coach Bloom and Coach Tui is something I’m so thankful for.”

Did Luke McCaffrey outrun Christian McCaffrey in 40-yard dash?

One of the highlights of the NFL combine this season was the comparison of Luke McCaffrey's 40-yard dash times with those of older brother Christian. After his 40 time became official, the network had an overlay of the two brothers running their 40, with Luke edging out Christian.

Luke McCaffrey NFL combine results, measurables

Outside of beating his brother Christian McCaffrey in the 40-yard dash, Luke McCaffrey posted similar numbers in nearly all the field testing. Here's a look at Luke McCaffrey's combine numbers:

• Height: 6-foot-2

• Weight: 198 pounds

• Hand size: 9 5/8 inches

• Arm span: 30 1/8 inches

• 40-yard dash: 4.47 seconds (1.52 10-yard split)

• Vertical jump: 36 inches

• Broad jump: 10 feet, 1 inch

• 3-cone drill: 6.70 seconds

• Shuttle run: 4.02 seconds

Luke McCaffrey scouting report

NFL.com gives Nix a 5.96 prospect grade, which means he is seen as an average backup or special-teamer. Draft analyst Lance Zierlein gives him a fourth-round grade:

"Big slot target who comes from high-end NFL bloodlines and who showed noticeable improvement in his second season at the position. Luke lacks the size of his father, former Pro Bowl receiver Ed McCaffrey, and the explosiveness of his brother, Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, but he catches with soft hands, great focus and extreme toughness. McCaffrey struggles to release and bypass press coverage and might not have enough separation quickness or top-end speed to uncover against NFL defenders. However, with additional time to learn the position and fine-tune his route running, McCaffrey might be able to follow his dad and brother into the league as a possession slot receiver."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Is Luke McCaffrey related to Christian McCaffrey? What to know of NFL draft prospect