Luke McCaffrey is a rising name in the NFL today. He is part of a legacy that has been continuing for decades now.
That is because all of the McCaffrey brothers are associated with American football in some way or another.
Luke McCaffrey is one of the four sons of Ed McCaffrey and Lisa McCaffrey. But is he related to Christian McCaffrey? And who are his brothers?
Luke McCaffrey, the youngest of four siblings, is the brother of Christian McCaffrey, Max McCaffrey, and Dylan McCaffrey. Born on April 2, 2001, to Ed and Lisa McCaffrey, he’s a wide receiver for the Rice Owls, starting his journey at Nebraska. Christian McCaffrey, the second brother, achieved NFL success with the Carolina Panthers.
Who Is Luke McCaffrey?
Luke McCaffrey, born on April 2, 2001, is an American football player making a significant impact as a wide receiver for the Rice Owls following his initial journey that began at Nebraska.
Originally from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Luke attended Valor Christian High School, where he played under the guidance of his father, Ed McCaffrey, who coached the team.
During his time in high school, Luke showcased remarkable versatility by initially playing as a wide receiver and defensive back before taking on the role of quarterback.
His impressive skills contributed to Valor Christian’s undefeated season and secured a Class 5A state championship.
Luke’s football journey continued at the University of Louisville before he made another move, this time joining Rice University as a wide receiver.
In the 2023 season, he excelled in his new position, emerging as a redshirt junior leading the team in receptions and all-purpose yards, highlighting his value to the squad.
Looking ahead to 2024, RiceFootball received an official invitation for Luke and the team to participate in the prestigious East-West game.
This invitation underscores Luke McCaffrey’s success in adapting to his new role and signifies a promising future for the talented athlete.
Explained: How Is Luke McCaffrey Related to Christian McCaffrey?
Luke McCaffrey is Christian McCaffrey’s younger brother. They have two more brothers– Max McCaffrey and Dylan McCaffrey, rounding up the total number of siblings to four.
Max (born May 17, 1994) is the eldest son of Ed and Lisa McCaffrey. Next in line is Christian (June 7, 1996), then comes Dylan (born March 25, 1999), and at the end is Luke.
Here are the careers of the rest of the three siblings apart from Luke:
Max McCaffrey
Max McCaffrey entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Then he signed with the Oakland Raiders as a wide receiver but spent most of his career as a practice squad member.
Max had brief stints with multiple teams, including the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Francisco 49ers.
His notable NFL moment came during Week 5 of the 2017 season when he recorded one reception for four yards while playing for the Jaguars.
In 2020, Max McCaffrey joined the XFL’s DC Defenders but eventually left to become the wide receivers coach for the Northern Colorado Bears.
By 2021, he had assumed the role of offensive coordinator. However, he returned to the NFL in 2023, signing as an offensive assistant for the Miami Dolphins.
Christian McCaffrey
The second brother Christian entered the NFL after Max and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2017.
He quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier running backs, although he faced injury setbacks. Christian was a key player for the San Francisco 49ers in their recent NFC Championship run.
Dylan McCaffrey
Unlike his older brothers, Dylan pursued a career as a quarterback. After a stint at Michigan, he transferred to Northern Colorado, where he played under the guidance of his brother Max, the offensive coordinator.
Dylan’s last season with the team saw him throw for 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The McCaffrey brothers’ shared passion for football raises the question of how their family became so deeply immersed in the sport. The answer lies in their father, Ed McCaffrey.
Ed enjoyed a successful NFL career as a wide receiver, initially drafted by the New York Giants before becoming a part of the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, where he won a Super Bowl.
His most outstanding achievements came during his time with the Denver Broncos, where he played from 1995 to 2003, securing two Super Bowl victories and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1998.
Since then, Ed McCaffrey has transitioned into coaching, having coached high school and college football.
He served as the head coach of the University of Northern Colorado from 2019 to 2022, with Max as his offensive coordinator and Dylan as the quarterback.
The McCaffrey brothers’ sporting lineage extends beyond their father, as their mother, Lisa, was a standout Stanford University soccer player, earning a three-year letter-winner recognition between 1987 and 1989.
Both parents have passed on their love and dedication to sports to their sons, who continue to carry the McCaffrey legacy forward in the world of football.
Did you know before that Luke McCaffrey and Christian McCaffrey were related? Or that they were a part of a pack of 4 brothers? How do you think their current seasons are shaping up to be?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.