Big Red Louie
Fansided

Louisville football: Who will emerge as offensive x-factor in 2019?

By Jacob Lane

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Seth Dawkins #5 of the Louisville Cardinals carries the ball for a first down during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Seth Dawkins #5 of the Louisville Cardinals carries the ball for a first down during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 29: Trey Smith #12 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Florida State Seminoles in the third quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Florida State came from behind to win 28-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 29: Trey Smith #12 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Florida State Seminoles in the third quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. Florida State came from behind to win 28-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Cole Bentley – Offensive guard/center

Junior

It’s not often you see an offensive lineman being talked about as a potential “x-factor” in an offense, but with serious raw talent and potential and one of the nations top offensive line coaches in the fold, junior Cole Bentley could be extremely crucial to the success of Louisville’s offense.

After a freshman season in which he looked like a potential future All-American offensive lineman, Cole Bentley took a step backward last season struggling to get accustomed to flipping between positions. Now with Ledford as his new coach, Bentley stands to improve more than potentially anyone else on the offensive line and could become the second-best starter behind future All-American and potential first-round NFL Draft pick, Mekhi Becton.

Under Satterfield and Ledford, Louisville will look to establish the run first and foremost, while using play-action to open the passing game. As we know, the offensive line struggled mightily last season, ranking near the bottom in every single statistic from sacks allowed, to yard per carry, etc, etc.

As Alex Stengel wrote earlier this summer, Ledford has a history of incredible turnarounds. He wrote:

"Prior to Ledford arriving, the sack total allowed for NC State in 2015 was 39. What were the sack totals for the three years with Ledford at the helm took over you ask? Great question. 2015 – 39 sacks (pre-Ledford) 2016 – 17 sacks 2017 – 13 sacks, 2018 – 9 sacks"

If Louisville is going to cut the 42 sacks that they allowed last season down significantly, while improving the run game, Bentley is going to be needed to display the talent we saw during his freshman season. Much like some of the offensive line that Ledford has coached up into NFL players, Bentley has all the tools needed. He’s strong, relatively quick, powerful, and nasty at the point of attack. His fundamentals need some retooling, something that Ledford specializes in, and if he’s able to take a step forward, the Cards could have two potential NFL players starting this season.

Home/Louisville Football