‘I’m not a big spotlight guy’: Q&A with Luke Carney, Syracuse’s new dual-threat QB from Texas

Syracuse, N.Y. — Only one quarterback in the history of Texas high school football has won four straight state championships, and that quarterback will come to play for Fran Brown at Syracuse University.

Luke Carney, a member of SU football’s 2025 recruiting class, will arrive at Syracuse as an early enrollee in January.

“I think it was a good time to come,” Carney told syracuse.com earlier this week. “It would have been nice to have a year or two under Kyle (McCord), but I can come in and compete with the rest of the quarterbacks in the room. I think it’s a great opportunity whether they make a transfer or not. I can still compete and learn the playbook immediately when I get there in the spring, compete and learn from them. It’s exciting.

A kid from Texas preparing for the harsh winters of Syracuse? That’s another matter.

“I don’t think I’m ready yet (laughs) but I hope that when I get used to it, I will be able to ride. But it will definitely take a few months,” Carney said.

Carney, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, is a dual-threat quarterback ranked as the 77th best quarterback in the class of 2025 via the 247Sports composite.

Carney, 50-5 as a starter, put up massive numbers at Dallas Christian in Mesquite, Texas.

He totaled 10,786 yards with 111 touchdowns against just 19 interceptions.

Carney, who was timed at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, also rushed 362 times for 3,135 yards (8.7 yards per carry) with 42 rushing scores.

He spoke to syracuse.com Monday evening about his trip to Syracuse and the road ahead.

Q: Did you realize that you are the only quarterback in Texas football history to win four consecutive state titles?

Carney: It’s definitely not understood yet. I am fortunate to be a part of the program I am a part of with all the great coaches and teammates around me. It’s definitely a surreal feeling. It sure felt good Friday night. I was on top of the world.

Q: You were the offensive and defensive MVP of this game. Tell me what it took for you to win this championship.

Carney: I only started playing defense last week. They needed me to step up a little. Those were the last two games of my high school career. I was ready to put my body on the line and help the team on defense and offense. I played the best I could and I was rewarded for it. It was a great feeling.

Q: Why have you found yourself on the defensive end these last two games?

Carney: I practiced a little earlier in the year. This is probably the least talented team we’ve had in the four years I’ve been here. As a senior, they told me that I might need to step up my studies later in the year because our high school had been a little shaky. So when we got to the semi-finals and the final, they were like, “Are you ready to go?” I was like, “Yes, sir,” and it went from there.

Q: You mentioned that this may not have been the most talented of the four state championship teams. How much more special did that make this title?

Carney: It was definitely unexpected. We were definitely the underdogs. Everyone fought against us in the championship game. We were two-touchdown underdogs and we managed to get the job done.

Q: So how does a kid from Texas end up wanting to come play football in Syracuse?

Carney: My recruiting started to gain momentum after my first year. A group of coaches came to watch me throw. One of them being (SU offensive coordinator) Coach (Jeff) Nixon. Every time he came to see me throw, he offered it to me. It was a great relationship with Coach Nixon, Coach Nunz (Nunzio Campanile) and Coach Brown. By my third or fourth visit, I knew it was the right solution. The campus was beautiful, the academics are a blessing and the relationship with the coaching staff that I had built, I knew it was the right place.

Q: What is your relationship like with Coach Nunzio?

Carney: It’s been great from the moment we’ve been in contact. I went there four times and he went to Dallas three or four times and watched me play. I’m really comfortable talking with him and talking about football. I know it’s going to be great when I get in that quarterback room and make things happen.

Q: What have the coaches emphasized to you about the offense?

Carney: I think the biggest thing they’ve emphasized is shaping the offense around the quarterback. Obviously, I’m not the same as Kyle (McCord). I’m not exactly the same as the other quarterbacks in the room. I think no matter who ends up being the starter, the offense is very adaptable. Obviously Kyle had a heck of a year, most yards in the country, which shows what they can do on offense.

Q: What is your relationship like with Kyle? To what extent did you have the opportunity to interact with him?

Carney: Every time I came, I had the chance to talk to him a little. Unfortunately, when I was going on an official visit, he was going to be my host, but my flight was canceled. The times I had the opportunity to speak to him, he was very kind to me and enjoyed talking to him.

Q: What do you think or maybe something the coaches have told you about transitioning to Syracuse after high school?

Carney: Coach Fran talked to all of us and the biggest challenge is coming and it’s not them anymore. They were the best player on their high school team, but he’s not the guy anymore. It will be a little adjustment, but I’m not a big spotlight guy. I don’t need all the attention on me. I’m not too worried about this room. I have to come into the facility every day, ready to work. I know it’s going to be a challenge. Also being far from home. But I’m ready for this. I was away from home when I went to IMG Academy in eighth grade. I’m just ready to get to work.

Q: What attracted you to Coach Fran at Syracuse?

Carney: He was great. He was frank and honest. If he wants to take a quarterback in the portal, he’s going to tell me upfront. He’s not going to hide anything from me. That’s what’s great about the coach, he’s different from the other coaches. It’s going to tell you exactly what it is, which is great.

Q: I’m sure the fact that Syracuse will be traveling to Dallas next season to play close to home hasn’t escaped your attention.

Carney: Yeah, this match is definitely circled on the schedule. There should be a lot of family and friends at this game. It should be fun. SMU is obviously having a great year after the playoffs started. This should be a good game.

Q: What do you plan to do between now and your arrival in Syracuse next month?

Carney: The plan is to return to the weight room and get out of throwing. Get ready and get ready so I’ll be ready for the opportunity when I get up there. Just be as prepared as possible.

Contact Brent Axe: Email | X | Blue sky

Sign up for the Syracuse Sports newsletter!