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Bears Add Big Leg Kicker Michael Luckhurst

February 2, 2022
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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

Discussion from...

Bears Add Big Leg Kicker Michael Luckhurst

10,384 Views | 20 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by mbBear
GoOskie
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Go Bears!
BearoutEast67
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This is one of the best stories about Cal football legacies in some time. Welcome to Cal and Go Bears!

With Sirmon's son on the team (and possibly a McClure?), the 2022 season is shaping up to be a special one.
Donate to Cal's NIL at https://calegends.com/donation/
RighteousGoldenBear
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Didn't know Barton was back at Cal....great for him...glad to see him back.
calumnus
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Very cool! Welcome home Mike Son of Mick!

Go Bears!
KenBurnski
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"Gets the ball up quickly/difficult to block" sounds pretty damn sweet to me. Welcome!
Eastern Oregon Bear
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He feels comfortable inside 60 yards on field goals and had a 54.2 yard punting average? I think I'm dreaming.
Goobear
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Welcome to Cal Football Michael. Wishing you nothing but the best of success on and off the field. Go Bears!
YamhillBear
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Wow! Gotta love his numbers --- especially when kicking/punting stats aren't nearly as affected by level of play and level of competition as other stats can be.

I don't pay attention to recruiting very closely --- is it common these days (FBS-wide) for kickers/punters to not be brought in on scholly? Regardless, hard to ignore that he chose us over the same PWO status at Georgia.
GivemTheAxe
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BearoutEast67 said:

This is one of the best stories about Cal football legacies in some time. Welcome to Cal and Go Bears!

With Sirmon's son on the team (and possibly a McClure?), the 2022 season is shaping up to be a special one.

Lots of positive info from this article.
1. Cal family tradition being kept alive.
2. Mike can regularly kick FG of 55+ Yards. That would have been enough to win the UW game in regulation.
3 I like that Mike's kicks get elevation quickly since we have had too many blocked FG attempts
4 I like the fact that JW is tacitly acknowledging the ST problems and is taking serious steps to remedy them.
5 I like the fact that might again have a reliable FG kicking attack. Some games I felt that it would be safer to try to get a first down on 4th-and-long than to try for a FG that was 40+ Yards.
UrsineMaximus
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He is probably the most ripped field goal kicker on the planet!!
operbear
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From the Hudl video I see great opportunities for fakes on punts. He can pass, he can run!
Operbear
MoragaBear
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Staff
YamhillBear said:

Wow! Gotta love his numbers --- especially when kicking/punting stats aren't nearly as affected by level of play and level of competition as other stats can be.

I don't pay attention to recruiting very closely --- is it common these days (FBS-wide) for kickers/punters to not be brought in on scholly? Regardless, hard to ignore that he chose us over the same PWO status at Georgia.

Yes, a lot of good kickers don't pan out so most programs bring them in as walk-ons and give scholarships to whoever wins the job.
calumnus
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operbear said:

From the Hudl video I see great opportunities for fakes on punts. He can pass, he can run!


Agreed, lots of creative opportunities on 4th down. Basically, he should almost always be in there on 4th down, even if we are going for it. Though, given how great a kicker he is and knowing Wilcox, 99% of the time we will be kicking.
75bear
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Great story and background. I love the legacy aspect, but am looking forward even more to Michael making his own stamp on the gridiron and creating his own unique legacy.

Welcome Michael, and Go Bears!
BearForce2
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Cal is Punter U.
mbBear
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BearForce2 said:

Cal is Punter U.
I know you posted that without any hope of saying something positive, but to give some historical perspective to those who care: the Sr. Luckhurst actually began a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers. At one point, Cal had the most kickers in the NFL....
Cal8285
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mbBear said:

BearForce2 said:

Cal is Punter U.
I know you posted that without any hope of saying something positive, but to give some historical perspective to those who care: the Sr. Luckhurst actually began a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers. At one point, Cal had the most kickers in the NFL....
Don't tell Ray Wersching or Jim Breech that the Sr. Luckhurst began a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers. More like continued a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers.

Pure kickers from Cal in the NFL started with Wersching, kicking for Cal in 71-72 (after his brother Randy was kicker in 69-70), and hooking on with the Chargers in 73, joining the 49ers in 77. A one year hiatus in 73 with Ron VanderMeer, then four years of Breech, one of Joe Cooper, two of Luckhurst, and two more of Cooper. So Mick hardly gets credit for getting the streak started.

Then there was a hiatus of a few years, I don't think we had an NFL PK until Doug Brien kicked 91-93 (Robbie Keen PK 87-89 got a cup of coffee with the Chiefs, but I believe only as a punter), Brien was followed by Longwell 94-96 (Longwell also punted in 93, and in 94 he was known as Ryan LongWideRight, but got a lot better). The only NFL kicker after that was Tavecchio, on the Bears from 2008-2011.

I'd be very happy if the younger Luckhurst could start a new streak.

NVBear78
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At minimum Luckhurst would seem a good possibility for kick off's next year.
HearstMining
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Cal8285 said:

mbBear said:

BearForce2 said:

Cal is Punter U.
I know you posted that without any hope of saying something positive, but to give some historical perspective to those who care: the Sr. Luckhurst actually began a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers. At one point, Cal had the most kickers in the NFL....
Don't tell Ray Wersching or Jim Breech that the Sr. Luckhurst began a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers. More like continued a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers.

Pure kickers from Cal in the NFL started with Wersching, kicking for Cal in 71-72 (after his brother Randy was kicker in 69-70), and hooking on with the Chargers in 73, joining the 49ers in 77. A one year hiatus in 73 with Ron VanderMeer, then four years of Breech, one of Joe Cooper, two of Luckhurst, and two more of Cooper. So Mick hardly gets credit for getting the streak started.

Then there was a hiatus of a few years, I don't think we had an NFL PK until Doug Brien kicked 91-93 (Robbie Keen PK 87-89 got a cup of coffee with the Chiefs, but I believe only as a punter), Brien was followed by Longwell 94-96 (Longwell also punted in 93, and in 94 he was known as Ryan LongWideRight, but got a lot better). The only NFL kicker after that was Tavecchio, on the Bears from 2008-2011.

I'd be very happy if the younger Luckhurst could start a new streak.


Thanks enumerating the great history of Cal kickers. I was fortunate to watch Breech during my student years, as well as Luckhurst thereafter. I particularly remember that Luckhurst could pin his kickoffs in one corner of the endzone which made coverage easier. I'm convinced that Wilcox has never really trusted his Cal placekickers (generally with good reason) and consequently he's gone for it in fourth down situations when he might otherwise have tried a long field goal. Let's hope Luckhurst fixes that.
mbBear
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Cal8285 said:

mbBear said:

BearForce2 said:

Cal is Punter U.
I know you posted that without any hope of saying something positive, but to give some historical perspective to those who care: the Sr. Luckhurst actually began a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers. At one point, Cal had the most kickers in the NFL....
Don't tell Ray Wersching or Jim Breech that the Sr. Luckhurst began a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers. More like continued a streak of excellent Cal FG kickers.

Pure kickers from Cal in the NFL started with Wersching, kicking for Cal in 71-72 (after his brother Randy was kicker in 69-70), and hooking on with the Chargers in 73, joining the 49ers in 77. A one year hiatus in 73 with Ron VanderMeer, then four years of Breech, one of Joe Cooper, two of Luckhurst, and two more of Cooper. So Mick hardly gets credit for getting the streak started.

Then there was a hiatus of a few years, I don't think we had an NFL PK until Doug Brien kicked 91-93 (Robbie Keen PK 87-89 got a cup of coffee with the Chiefs, but I believe only as a punter), Brien was followed by Longwell 94-96 (Longwell also punted in 93, and in 94 he was known as Ryan LongWideRight, but got a lot better). The only NFL kicker after that was Tavecchio, on the Bears from 2008-2011.

I'd be very happy if the younger Luckhurst could start a new streak.


OMG...I am shamed! Breech was my era, so not sure how I didn't think of him at the very least, but of course you are right about Wersching...
Wershing, Breech, Luckhurst and Cooper did all have a couple of years when they were NFL kickers together...I could have sworn there was someone before Brien, but I have already screwed up enough on this thread...ha.
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