W hat's the first thing that comes to mind when you envision a 6-foot-7, 255-pound man holding a chain saw? A villain from a horror movie? Sure. A participant in ESPN's Outdoor Games? That can work. An artist? Not really.
But Virginia's starting tight end Chris Luzar - who actually is quite the artist with a chain saw in hand - will prove you wrong.
Luzar is back with the Cavaliers for his fourth year of eligibility after receiv-ing an undergraduate degree in studio art in May. He is not only a tremendous talent on the football field, but also is quite skilled with a chain saw, torches, hammers, chisels and sandpaper in his hands.
The senior tight end from Williamsburg, can take a piece of wood and turn it into whatever his mind concocts. From a scene of two football players taking each other on to a human torso that today sits in front of his house on Stadium Road, the artist/football player can sculpt many things.
So how does a football star get into sculpting, exactly?
"I was trying to pick out a senior project last spring," Luzar said. "My teacher brought in a stump one day and said, 'there's a chain saw out back, why don't you see what you can do with it?' I took that stump and made two people in a football scene - one tackling another person - and I just kind of took off from there."
Luzar uses the same skill and technique to carve up opponents on the football field. A valuable backup for three years, Luzar is getting the chance to thrive in new head coach Al Groh's system. After two games this season Luzar is third on the team with six catches for 85 yards - an amount that almost equals his output from all of last year.
"I like this system because I am more involved," Luzar said. "I had nine receptions all last year, so I've almost reached that. I should have more [this year], because when I looked at the film [of the Richmond game] I saw my brother [Kase Luzar] caught one pass, and that could've been me. Billy McMullen caught the touchdown and all week [during practice] that was me, so Billy stole my touchdown."
Luzar's improvement can be seen not only in statistics, but also on the field in other aspects of the game. Working on his blocking has helped Luzar become a more complete tight end, as Groh has said since the beginning of the season.
Luzar "is, and is going to be, a weapon in this offense for sure," Groh said. "He's a big, sturdy, rugged player. He clearly enjoys competition, and he likes to block. He is not one of those tight ends that you've got to talk into blocking. He really likes to block and he's very effective at it."
But don't get the idea that Luzar doesn't like to use his talented hands to catch, as demonstrated by his increase in numbers this year. Moved from wide receiver to tight end early in his career, Luzar always has wanted to go out and catch the ball as well.
"He likes to catch the ball too," Groh said with a laugh. "At his size, he's a very strong player, and he's a lot to handle."
Luzar has graduated from Virginia, starts for a Division I football program, and is a great artist in his own right. Life couldn't get any better.
That is, until you find out he has his younger brother Kase along for the ride. Not only is Kase at Virginia, but he is Chris's backup at tight end, and he has been seeing a lot of action.
"I was happy he got that catch," Chris said, speaking about a pivotal catch Kase made
against Richmond. "I think he got 45 plays that game and that's good."
He wishes Kase well in backing him up, but admits he is out to make sure Kase stays that very thing until Chris finishes his senior year for the Cavaliers.
Both Chris and Kase enjoy fishing, hunting and being out in nature, and most people describe Chris as an outdoors type of guy.
Wielding an ax some days, a shotgun some days, and a football the rest of the time, Chris manages to stay pretty busy. But what does a man with so many talents want to do after he leaves Virginia?
"Well, my goal in life is to go to the NFL," he said with a sly smile. "Right now I'm trying to work hard to get there."
Well, if his artwork is any indication, he should have absolutely no problem carving up linebackers and chiseling his way through safeties for a long time.
Read More
Boyden and Tufts reunite, chasing titles alongside each other
By Michael Liebermann | 3 hours agoA permanent mutual affection exists between Boyden and his former program.
Virginia faces goalie conundrum heading into Final Four
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayThe situation represents a turnaround for Tiffany’s squad.
Connor Shellenberger, an unforgettable shot, and a wave of unbidden tears
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayAn incredible game-winner triggered a rush of emotion
