Caullin Lacy, WR, Louisville
Size:
Height: 5’8” (v) | Weight: 192 lbs (v)
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-Sun Belt (2023)
“Caullin Lacy is an electric playmaker who forces defenses to be aware of his alignment on each snap.”
Strengths:
YAC
Short-area quickness
Dynamic returner
Concerns:
Size
Route tree
Inconsistent releases
Film Analysis:
Caullin Lacy is an electric playmaker who forces defenses to be aware of his alignment on each snap. He transferred from South Alabama after four seasons spent in the Sun Belt. He aligned primarily in the slot, but has experience on the outside at ‘X’.
During his time at South Alabama, Lacy was utilized in a variety of fashions with designated touches coiled into his regular share of targets (119 targets in 2023 ranked T-20 in college football). Can align static on the perimeter, but is best on short motion to get his momentum moving pre-snap. Quick feet off the line of scrimmage and a good, not great, release package. Lacy prioritizes winning with speed off the line, rather than tempo, pace, and deception.
Common route concepts were crossers and shallow area return routes where his lateral agility and quickness made life tough on defenders. Has shown the ability to stretch the defense vertically, but Lacy is best when the ball gets in hands quickly. While Lacy isn’t the biggest athlete, he plays bigger than his frame—the rep only begins when the ball lands in Lacy’s hands. Dynamic burst to accelerate to open grass and he has also displayed excellent awareness before the ball is in his grasp to where corners are on his hip. Operates with very little wasted movement, working upfield quickly. Creativity and vision are present in his evaluation, expanding his potential role into what he could be at the next level. Easy speed to churn yards with make-and-miss ability in the open field. Lacy’s short-area quickness combined with his long speed force all back seven defenders to hustle to the football when it is in his hands.
Lacy also has experience as a return man and could serve as an immediate core contributor on special teams before his role expands on offense.
Concerns will remain about his size, but evaluating his pure skill set showcases an electric playmaker with the potential to rise on boards now in the ACC. Would like to see a more diversified route tree at Louisville, as well. Tempoing his release packages would assist in his success against longer, more experienced man corners, also.
Overall, Lacy is a highly intriguing perimeter target who enters 2024 with a newfound spotlight on his game considering his conference of play. While he does not project as a No. 1 or high-level No. 2 receiver in an offense, Lacy’s skill set is much, much more than complementary, and he’s someone who could serve as the final piece to an offense in search of explosiveness that will expand a playbook.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Development Traits
Written By: Ryan Fowler
