Joe Lusardi: Captain Joe!
Oct 10 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Walking on to a Division I football program runs in DB Joe Lusardi's family. His father, John, did the same at Syracuse, where he helped the Orange to a 10-2 record and a bowl victory in 1991 at linebacker and accumulated more than 130 tackles during his career.
So when Joe Lusardi was given an opportunity to follow a similar path at Rutgers, he was well prepared for the challenge that lay ahead.
"Coming here, I knew I would have to have a chip on my shoulder," Lusardi said. "Going up against a ton of exceptional athletes, I knew I wasn't the biggest, strongest or fastest, so I knew I would need to do something different to get my name on the board."
Lusardi has turned himself into one of the most reliable players on the roster, entering Saturday's 'Scarlet Out' against Wisconsin as one of just nine current players with 40 or more career appearances for the Scarlet Knights.
The Summit, New Jersey, native has competed in 18 consecutive contests dating back to 2023, which includes an appearance in last year's victory over Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. This season, Lusardi has continued to be a mainstay on special teams during the team's impressive 4-1 start.
"Special teams come down to the details," Lusardi said. "Knowing my job and getting everyone else to lock in on their individual responsibilities is a big point of emphasis for me."
His maturity and attention to detail are noticed by his teammates, who voted him a team captain for the second consecutive season.
"He has a relentless effort," said DL Kyonte Hamilton. "He goes as hard as he can every single play. He shows up with the same energy every day no matter what is going on. He's always a guy you can rely on."
Now in his final collegiate season, Lusardi does not take his leadership role for granted.
"It means the world to me that my teammates believe in me as a leader," Lusardi said. "I know the big responsibility that comes with it and every day I come to help this team get better and do whatever I am asked to help."
Lusardi enjoyed a standout scholastic career at Summit High School under head coach Kevin Kostibos, where he played defensive back, running back and wide receiver for the Hilltoppers. As a senior in 2019, Lusardi produced 930 yards on the ground and 13 rushing touchdowns along with two interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. His efforts earned him first team all-division and second team all-group accolades by The Star-Ledger.
Lusardi's play caught the eye of Rutgers and head coach Greg Schiano, who offered Lusardi an opportunity to walk on the following season. For Lusardi, it meant a chance to play collegiate football at its highest level and join RU's rich walk-on tradition, which includes 13 who went on to become team captains.
Walk Ons Who Served as Captains (Since 1993)
1993: Bill Bailey
1996: Rob Seeger
1999: Shaun O'Hara
2002: Gary Brackett
2004: Ray Pilch
2006: Ramel Meekins
2007: Brendon Renkart
2010: Howard Barbieri
2014: Michael Burton
2015: Paul James
2017: Darnell Davis
2020: Lawrence Stevens
2023-24: Joe Lusardi
"I knew a bunch of the guys that came through this program the same way I did," Lusardi said. "There are a ton of guys that came here and did well and also became successful after their time here, so I definitely knew about their stories, and it motivated me to do the same."
Despite the uncertainty during his first season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lusardi kept his head down and trusted the process. His determination resulted in five appearances as a true freshman in 2020, including crucial snaps at safety in RU's 27-24 victory at Maryland.
"It was going to take every single guy on this trip for us to be able to win this game," Schiano said after the win over the Terrapins. "When you look at a guy like Joe Lusardi, a freshman walk-on who is out there playing safety and did a heck of a job, that to me is what you call a family."
Treating the program like a family is the approach Lusardi takes every time he steps inside the Hale Center. He likes to use his journey to Rutgers as an example for his younger teammates of what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication.
From walk on to two-time team captain, Lusardi embodies F.T.C. – F.A.M.I.L.Y. TRUST. CHOP.
"The start is not always the prettiest," Lusardi said. "It's going to be tough. From workouts to playing on scout teams, it's very hard. But if you keep putting the work in day in and day out and come in with a good mindset, anything can happen."
So when Joe Lusardi was given an opportunity to follow a similar path at Rutgers, he was well prepared for the challenge that lay ahead.
"Coming here, I knew I would have to have a chip on my shoulder," Lusardi said. "Going up against a ton of exceptional athletes, I knew I wasn't the biggest, strongest or fastest, so I knew I would need to do something different to get my name on the board."
Lusardi has turned himself into one of the most reliable players on the roster, entering Saturday's 'Scarlet Out' against Wisconsin as one of just nine current players with 40 or more career appearances for the Scarlet Knights.
The Summit, New Jersey, native has competed in 18 consecutive contests dating back to 2023, which includes an appearance in last year's victory over Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. This season, Lusardi has continued to be a mainstay on special teams during the team's impressive 4-1 start.
"Special teams come down to the details," Lusardi said. "Knowing my job and getting everyone else to lock in on their individual responsibilities is a big point of emphasis for me."
His maturity and attention to detail are noticed by his teammates, who voted him a team captain for the second consecutive season.
"He has a relentless effort," said DL Kyonte Hamilton. "He goes as hard as he can every single play. He shows up with the same energy every day no matter what is going on. He's always a guy you can rely on."
Now in his final collegiate season, Lusardi does not take his leadership role for granted.
"It means the world to me that my teammates believe in me as a leader," Lusardi said. "I know the big responsibility that comes with it and every day I come to help this team get better and do whatever I am asked to help."
Lusardi enjoyed a standout scholastic career at Summit High School under head coach Kevin Kostibos, where he played defensive back, running back and wide receiver for the Hilltoppers. As a senior in 2019, Lusardi produced 930 yards on the ground and 13 rushing touchdowns along with two interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. His efforts earned him first team all-division and second team all-group accolades by The Star-Ledger.
Lusardi's play caught the eye of Rutgers and head coach Greg Schiano, who offered Lusardi an opportunity to walk on the following season. For Lusardi, it meant a chance to play collegiate football at its highest level and join RU's rich walk-on tradition, which includes 13 who went on to become team captains.
Walk Ons Who Served as Captains (Since 1993)
1993: Bill Bailey
1996: Rob Seeger
1999: Shaun O'Hara
2002: Gary Brackett
2004: Ray Pilch
2006: Ramel Meekins
2007: Brendon Renkart
2010: Howard Barbieri
2014: Michael Burton
2015: Paul James
2017: Darnell Davis
2020: Lawrence Stevens
2023-24: Joe Lusardi
"I knew a bunch of the guys that came through this program the same way I did," Lusardi said. "There are a ton of guys that came here and did well and also became successful after their time here, so I definitely knew about their stories, and it motivated me to do the same."
Despite the uncertainty during his first season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lusardi kept his head down and trusted the process. His determination resulted in five appearances as a true freshman in 2020, including crucial snaps at safety in RU's 27-24 victory at Maryland.
"It was going to take every single guy on this trip for us to be able to win this game," Schiano said after the win over the Terrapins. "When you look at a guy like Joe Lusardi, a freshman walk-on who is out there playing safety and did a heck of a job, that to me is what you call a family."
Treating the program like a family is the approach Lusardi takes every time he steps inside the Hale Center. He likes to use his journey to Rutgers as an example for his younger teammates of what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication.
From walk on to two-time team captain, Lusardi embodies F.T.C. – F.A.M.I.L.Y. TRUST. CHOP.
"The start is not always the prettiest," Lusardi said. "It's going to be tough. From workouts to playing on scout teams, it's very hard. But if you keep putting the work in day in and day out and come in with a good mindset, anything can happen."
Players Mentioned
DL
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