William Lutz Bio
William Lutz (born July 7, 1994), nicknamed “Big Nutz Lutz,” is an American professional football placekicker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia State Panthers and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Lutz has also played for the New Orleans Saints before joining the Broncos. He has earned Pro Bowl honors and established himself as one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
William Lutz was born on July 7, 1994, in Newnan, Georgia. His parents, Julie and Robert (Bob) Lutz, both worked in education throughout his childhood. Julie Lutz served in various education roles, including as principal of Canongate Elementary School in Sharpsburg, Georgia, and later as Dean at Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia. Bob Lutz worked as a middle school science teacher at Madras Middle School in Newnan for many years. The couple also raised another son, Wesley.
Lutz attended Northgate High School in Newnan, where he competed in three sports: American football, soccer, and cross country running. As a two-time all-county placekicker, Lutz helped lead the Viking football team to an impressive 11-1 record and a region title during his senior season in 2011. The team defeated North Clayton High School in the first round of the Georgia AAAA football playoffs before falling to East Paulding High School in the second round.
Path to Professional Football
After graduating from Northgate High School, Lutz enrolled at Georgia State University, where he began his college career as a kickoff specialist during the 2012 season. He became the starting placekicker after four games and showed promise early, making 4-of-7 field goals and converting all 18 extra-point attempts. His performance improved each year, and he set a school record with a 53-yard field goal against Alabama during the 2013 season.
Lutz expanded his role in 2014 by taking over punting duties midway through the season. He earned First-Team All-Sun Belt recognition and finished that year connecting on 7-of-8 field goals while converting all 35 extra-point attempts. His clutch performance continued as he kicked a 26-yard game-winning field goal with four seconds remaining to lift Georgia State to a 38-37 victory over Abilene Christian. By his senior season in 2015, Lutz served as both punter and placekicker, averaging 44.3 yards per punt and earning Second-team All-Sun Belt honors.
William Lutz Career
Early Career (2016)
After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, Lutz signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent on May 5, 2016. He was waived by the Ravens on August 29, 2016, before the regular season began. This brief stint with Baltimore marked the beginning of his professional journey, but he soon found his footing with another franchise.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2016–2022)
Lutz signed with the New Orleans Saints on September 5, 2016, and quickly became an integral part of their special teams unit. His rookie season was remarkable, featuring a game-winning 52-yard field goal against the Carolina Panthers and a career-best four field goal performance against the Seattle Seahawks. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in both Week 6 and Week 8 of the 2016 season, becoming only the third Saints rookie to win the award twice in a single season, joining Thomas Morstead and Reggie Bush.
On December 18, 2016, Lutz made his 22nd and 23rd field goals of the season, setting the franchise record for most field goals made by a rookie. He finished his rookie year with 28 successful field goals and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. The following seasons saw Lutz emerge as one of the league’s most consistent kickers. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September 2018 after connecting on 10 of 11 field goal attempts.
Lutz’s 2019 Pro Bowl season featured several memorable moments, including a 58-yard game-winning field goal against the Houston Texans in Week 1, which set an NFL record for the longest game-winning field goal with no time remaining in a season-opening game. He signed a five-year contract extension with the Saints in March 2019, solidifying his role as their long-term kicker. Lutz continued his strong performance through 2020, becoming the first player to score points at Allegiant Stadium when he kicked a 31-yard field goal during the NFL’s inaugural game in Las Vegas.
A groin injury sidelined Lutz for most of the 2021 season after he was placed on injured reserve on September 6. He returned in 2022 and appeared in all 17 games, converting 23 of 31 field goal attempts and all 33 extra point attempts. His tenure with the Saints concluded after seven seasons, during which he established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in franchise history.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
On August 29, 2023, Lutz was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick. The move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined a Broncos team looking to rebuild their special teams unit. Lutz made an immediate impact, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November 2023. He finished that season converting 30 of 34 field goal attempts and 29 of 31 extra point attempts across 17 games.
In March 2024, Lutz signed a two-year contract extension with the Broncos and announced he would switch his jersey number from 16 to 3, his number during his time with the Saints. The 2024 season proved to be another standout year as he earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice, including a four field goal performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 and a perfect 5-for-5 game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12. Lutz became the fifth-fastest player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career points during the season and finished 2024 converting 31 of 34 field goal attempts and all 46 extra points.
Driving Style and Strengths
While not a driver in the traditional sense, Lutz’s kicking style emphasizes consistency and clutch performance under pressure. He has demonstrated exceptional leg strength, with a career-longest field goal of 60 yards, and his ability to deliver in crucial moments has earned him multiple Player of the Week and Player of the Month honors throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lutz’s career is filled with milestone moments, including his Pro Bowl selection in 2019, multiple special teams player of the week awards, and his record-setting rookie season with the Saints. His clutch gene has been on display numerous times, with game-winning kicks against the Panthers, Texans, and Chiefs standing out as signature moments.
William Lutz Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2016 to present, Lutz has established himself as one of the most accurate and reliable kickers in the league. His career statistics include 254 field goals made on 295 attempts, an 86.1% conversion rate, with a long of 60 yards and 526 touchbacks.
NFL Highlights
Lutz’s NFL career began with an impressive rookie season in 2016, during which he made 28 field goals and earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. He followed with consistent performances in subsequent seasons, culminating in his first Pro Bowl selection in 2019. His career-high four field goal games became a regular occurrence, and his ability to deliver game-winning kicks has been a hallmark of his game throughout his career.
Other Notable Performances
Beyond his regular season success, Lutz has performed well in high-pressure situations throughout his career. His multiple AFC and NFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards reflect his ability to rise to the occasion when games are on the line. His consistency from both field goal and extra point range has made him a valuable asset for every team he has played for.
William Lutz Family
Family Background
Lutz was raised in Newnan, Georgia, by his parents Julie and Robert (Bob) Lutz, both of whom dedicated their careers to education. His father worked as a middle school science teacher while his mother served in various administrative and academic roles, eventually becoming Dean at Truett McConnell University. Lutz also has a brother named Wesley.
Personal Life
Lutz maintains a presence on social media with accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. He resides in the Denver area while playing for the Broncos. His nickname “Big Nutz Lutz” has become synonymous with his persona as a confident and reliable NFL kicker.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has seen Lutz continue his elite-level performance with the Denver Broncos. In October 2025, he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for the second time in his career after completing 100% of his field goal and extra point attempts, including impressive kicks of 57 and 55 yards. Later that season, he earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following the Broncos’ Week 11 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, where he went a perfect 5-for-5 on field goal attempts and delivered the game-winning kick.
On November 21, 2025, the Broncos secured Lutz’s long-term future by signing him to a three-year, $16.1 million contract extension through 2028. Lutz finished the 2025 season converting all 39 extra point attempts and 28 of 32 field goal attempts, continuing his reputation as one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL. His consistent performance has been a cornerstone of the Broncos’ special teams success as the team builds toward future competitiveness.