Bears Add Big Leg Kicker Michael Luckhurst

The Bears added a key piece to their 2022 recruiting class with the commitment of Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara, CA) High School kicker Michael Luckhurst, who will be coming in initially as a PWO for the Bears.

“I’m really excited,” said Luckhurst. “My whole life I’ve been a Cal fan so it’s a dream come true.”

If the name sounds familiar to longtime Cal fans, it should, as Luckhurst's father Mick kicked for the Bears from 1979-81 before kicking for the Atlanta Falcons for seven seasons in the NFL. He also helped lead Cal to their first two rugby national championships.

Bear Insider

Luckhurst Family

“When I was going through my recruitment, I was trying to not let that be too big a factor for me,” said Luckhurst of his dad’s history at Cal. “But thinking of it after the fact, it’s just really cool to be able to do that and continue on his legacy.”

Luckhurst also fielded preferred walk-on offers from national champion Georgia and recent national champ Clemson along with Cal and the Bears compared favorably to to the competition for Luckhurst.

“I’d gone on visits to Georgia and Clemson a couple months ago and the vibe at Cal was just so different,” said Luckhurst. “It just gave me that sense of home.

“It's crazy how different it was when my dad was here. It’s insane. And the facilities are just unreal.”

Luckhurst particularly enjoyed his interactions with his future teammates.

“It was really good,” said Luckhurst. “I got to meet (punter) Jamieson (Sheahan). That was awesome talking to him. And I got to meet one of the longsnappers, Daniel Etter. He was great to be around.”

Luckhurst’s main point of contact has been former Cal linebacker and current QC coach Michael Barton, who largely took over former special teams coach Charlie Ragle’s responsibilities when he was out with a medical emergency last season, playing an integral role in the turnaround of the beleagured unit.

“He's awesome,” said Luckhurst. “He's one of the main reasons I came to Cal, to be able to be around him. He's going to be working a lot with special teams this year so that will be great.”

Beyond being a high level punter, averaging more than 50 yards per punt, Luckhurst has a huge leg, as well, with most of his kickoffs going into and out of the end zone and several 50+ yard field goals in his senior season. He had a chance to break his father Mick’s 55-yard record in a game with a 60-yard attempts but it went wide right. His range in practice is even more impressive.

“My longest field goal I’ve made without wind is 65 yards,” said Luckhurst. “I’m pretty comfortable from around 60. I think my power and ability to control my kicks and knowing what my swing is from say 55 yards in is a strength of mine along with my precision and also being able to let loose from 60+. I think that throughout my life when I’ve been in pressure situations, like taking a penalty kick in soccer or in game situations at quarterback, it’s all helped give me poise when I’m kicking.”

Luckhurst’ father Mick was particularly proud of his son following in his footsteps to Cal after coaching him in high school some four decades later.

“I’m very emotional about Michael committing to Cal,” said Luckhurst in the British accent he still maintains. “I tried not to let on so it would be 100% his decision. He had other good options but when he said two nights ago he decided to go to Cal, it was really cool. I love it! “

Not only does athleticism in the family come from his father but his siblings, as well. His sister Nikki played at Tulane and for the British national team. His brother Jack kicks for South Carolina after transferring from ASU and his brother Adam plays soccer for South Carolina, as well.

“The elevation on his kicks is some of the best you’ll see,” said Luckhurst. “The ball gets up very quickly and he has tremendous leg strength, which is mad. It's just not normal. So he’s got great leg strength but most important, he gets the ball up very quickly and when you have that combination, it’s difficult to block. And because he’s played other positions and other sports, he knows he can do it so he doesn’t lack confidence. That's a key thing. When you’re kicking, you have to have confidence to kick well.

calbears.com

Mick Luckhurst at Cal

“He was a multiple year starting quarterback and he kicked and punted, too, so he was hardly ever off the field. Now just to be able to focus on one thing and continue to get better, he's really excited. What he wants to do is kick. I look forward to see how he develops.

”He's good now but I think he’ll only get better. And he's a strong kid. He loves working out. And he loves kicking. I think he’ll fit in well at Cal.”

Color Luckhurst a fan of the latest Cal head coach, as well, Justin Wilcox.

“I have to say, I was really impressed with Justin,” said Luckhurst. “I walked away and said to someone, how they handled Michael in his recruitment was perfect. They didn't leave out the academic part, either. They said he’d have to work hard, almost like if you don’t want to study, you'll want to go somewhere else. 

“I left there even more proud that he’s going to be a Golden Bear.”

Other stories:

Grading the 2022 Football Recruiting Class

San Ramon Valley OT Jackson Brown Makes it Official for Cal