Interview: 3-Star 2022 California RB Lucky Sutton is Set for a Tremendous Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If one finds art in the game of football, Lucky Sutton’s running style would be hanging on a museum wall somewhere in France. The 6-1, 205-pound, tailback is as smooth as it gets breaking through a crease exploding past the second level winning footraces to the end zone. His sophomore season was split between Cathedral Catholic’s junior varsity and varsity squad rushing for an estimated 600 yards with at least 12 touchdowns in four games against his peer group while adding 232 yards on 32 totes with two more scores against Division I California defenses.
Holding an offer from Nevada with programs like Arizona, Yale, and Washington showing interest, young Mr. Lucky Sutton took a break at the RNG Lab updating us on his offseason workouts.
Interview
Lucky, as running backs go, you are about as smooth as a runner as it gets. There are shades of NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson to your style. Have you modeled your game after a running back?
No, but I do look up to Todd Gurley and other tall running backs. I like backs with maybe not as much power but the ones that have great agility and use their hips well.
An aspect to your abilities that plays into how you can dominate a game is your speed. This is an effortless motion to your stride, especially once you break to the second level. What is the best-timed run you’ve posted?
My best timed 40 was a 4.5. I ran a 4.4, but that was an unofficial time after practice.
During the 2019 season, how was your season split between JV and varsity?
For the hard JV games, I played down, and with varsity, I was up for every game with reps for the experience.
Aiding in your ability to produce explosive plays is your field vision. Once your sophomore season ended, what did you feel were some of the other strengths to your overall game?
My vision is definitely a big part and I shed tackles. I don’t like to be tackled by one person. It takes more than one person to bring me down. My spin move is good, but I did not get to show that too much last season but I will this season.
Which areas of your game have you worked on this offseason to prepare for the 2020 schedule?
I have been working on my agility, side to side movement, and my hips. Always working to get even faster.
What are some of the lifts you are doing to add more power to your skills?
I came in last season at 180 pounds, it was embarrassing. This offseason I have trained hard and I am up to 200. I am benching more and do everything, squats, power clean, and deadlifts.
With Zavien Watson putting up 1,573 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago, the Dons’ offense is certainly running back friendly. Watson carried the rock 244 times in 2019. If put into that lead back scenario, how have you been conditioning yourself for all the carries and hits you will be taking?
Running more miles and working on game tempo speed. When I do a rep, I go full speed every time.
What is the current practice schedule for the Dons?
It has been slow. We just started workouts. Two days a week we are doing legs and arms, and some conditioning. No on field stuff yet.
Before the season begins, what do you want to accomplish?
I want to get stronger, up to 210 pounds, and mentally ready. I don’t want COVID to get in the way of our season, I will play my hardest every game and work on my leadership skills for the upcoming season.
Are you competing in any other varsity sports at Cathedral?
I run track.
Which events?
The 100, 200, and 4×1
What’s your best time in the 200?
Last season, we didn’t have much of one because of the virus, I ran a 23.1.
Lucky, it was fun covering ground with you today. I appreciate it, and wish you success accomplishing your goals before the season begins.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Sutton family; Lucky Sutton