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Louisville football: 5 freshmen that will make an impact in 2019

By Jacob Lane

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Jawon Pass #4 of the Louisville Cardinals hands off to Hassan Hall #19 of the Louisville Cardinals during the third quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Jawon Pass #4 of the Louisville Cardinals hands off to Hassan Hall #19 of the Louisville Cardinals during the third quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Ja’Darien Boykin – DE

Four-star | No. 19 WDE

Louisville football’s defensive line took a big hit when captain Jon Greenard was injured during the first series of the first game against Alabama in 2018.

Then, after Satterfield was hired, Greenard decided to grad transfer to Florida to join former Cards defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

However, the good news for the Cards is that they return a lot of young, hungry talent on the defensive front, and will also have an absolute playmaker in Ja’Darien Boykin competing for snaps.

Boykin will join a group that also features names like Tabarius Peterson, Michael Boykin, Amonte Caban, G.G. Robinson, Malik Clark, Jared Goldwire, and Jarrett Jackson.

It seems though that Boykin could get immediate snaps and compete for a starting position from day one.

Boykin is certainly undersized for a defensive end at 6’2,” 235-pounds, but he makes up for his smaller stature with elite speed off of the edge. He beats the blocker time and time again off the ball and causes absolute mayhem in the backfield.

Boykin has an opportunity to step in and steal some of the snaps Greenard would have eaten up but would do so by bringing a completely different style of play to the table.

“He’s quick- quick as a cat,” defensive coordinator Bryan Brown said of Boykin. “That’s what we need up front on this defense. He’s quick and when offensive linemen can’t touch you, that’s key. We always work edges; We never go down the middle. That’s what we do defensively, and he will fit our scheme to a T.”

Speed is the name of the game for Satterfield and company. Though he was rated a four-star out of high school, Miami and Auburn were the only other power five schools that were after Boykin hard. We speculated prior to Boykin’s commitment that teams were a bit cautious in going after him because he fits the mold of an outside linebacker, but played much more on the line in high school.

However, in speed city, Boykin may not need to be 6’4″ or 260-pounds to be a solid edge rusher. The staff is dead set on finding perfect fits for their system. That’s why they were willing to risk losing Robert Hicks by moving him to the line, why they moved Russ yeast to safety, and why players like Ja’Darien Boykin could come right in and thrive for the Cards.

***UPDATE (8/4)*** Scott Satterfield announced in his first press conference before fall camp that freshmen Ja’Darien Boykin and Jamel Starks did not qualify and will not play for Louisville this season.

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