For the past three summers during the NFL offseason, Cornelius Lucas has hosted a swim camp in his hometown state of Louisiana.
His swim camp, called Laps with Luc, and swimming education hold a personal connection for Lucas – who lost his father when he was seven years old to a swimming accident. He partnered with a foundation called Son of a Saint, an organization based in New Orleans created to provide a support system for young boys in New Orleans who had lost their fathers due to various circumstances, to bring the camp to his hometown.
At those camps, they bring in swim instructors to teach swim safety provide swim instruction. Lucas said they also bring in professionals from other fields to help teach life skills and show other professions outside of sports.
"I just try to give them as much exposure and I talk to them about being confident and carrying themselves in a certain way," Lucas said. "Just getting them to exude confidence, because being raised without a father, you can miss some of those things. So, preaching those things and getting them to buy in."
Lucas hopes to continue those camps and broaden his reach in Cleveland as he begins the next stop in his 12-year NFL career with the Browns.
The Browns newest additions in QB Kenny Pickett, DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and OT Cornelius Lucas toured CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in their official visits to Cleveland.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas and his family visit CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas signs his contract at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas visits CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 13, 2025.
When the new league year began on March 12, Lucas officially became an unrestricted free agent. He signed a two-year deal with the Browns and stepped into CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for the first time on March 13 to make it official.
"I felt like they really wanted me," Lucas said. "The Browns were on it from Day 1, and I want to be somewhere where I'm wanted."
Lucas joins an offensive line that features LG Joel Bitonio – who is returning for the 2025 season – as well as RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin and C Ethan Pocic as the veteran group. With his 12 years of experience in the NFL, Lucas believes he can step in and complement the veteran group.
He first signed as an undrafted free agent with the Lions in 2014 where he spent the first three years of his NFL career. He spent one season each with the Rams, Saints and Bears before making his way to the Commanders in 2020. In his five seasons in Washington, Lucas started 38 of the 76 games he played.
"I feel like I'm going to fit right in with the gang," Lucas said. "A bunch of veteran leadership. A bunch of guys that have done it and been proven and tested. I can fit right in and give my little but of expertise and make us that much better."
He also believes his skillset is on that fits the offensive line unit. Lucas described his ability as a pass blocker and how he can get down in the run game are traits that are important for the tackle position, and he can bring those to the group.
He's also prepared to be a swing tackle if necessary. During his five seasons with Washington, Lucas played games both at left and right tackle and has the ability to switch between the two positions. He's prepared to play at either position whichever one he spends time practicing at for the week and can fill a need on the roster.
Lucas noted there are differences between playing on the left side than the right side. Because he is left-handed, the left side comes more naturally to Lucas than the right side. If he plays on the right side, he has to think more about his technique, focusing on his feet, balance and how he carries himself to have the proper leverage. On the left side, all those aspects of playing tackle come more naturally to him.
Whichever position he steps into, though, Lucas knows he can carve a role for himself among the offensive line.
"I'm just here to help us win any way possible," Lucas said. "If that's me being a swing tackle, if that's me being a starter at left or right, however it may go."
