Big Red Louie
Fansided

Louisville football 2019 depth chart preview: Running back

By Kyle Brown

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Hassan Hall, Louisville football
LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Hassan Hall #19 of the Louisville Cardinals shrugs off defensive back Kyle Bailey #36 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as he runs down the field in the fourth quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

The Starter

All signs point to Hassan Hall and I think that’s who we’ll see line up in the backfield against Notre Dame.

Hall checks all of the boxes: size, speed, strength, ball security.

Coach Satterfield wants to run the ball early and often to make sure his offense performs at its best. Hall will be given the first opportunity to show the staff that he is the right fit for the new scheme.

If he doesn’t impress early, there is a mile-long list of people ready to replace him.

The Dark Horse

I want to say it will be Dae Williams. I am pulling for it to be Dae Williams.

It will not be Dae Williams.

This is Javian Hawkins’ spot.

Hawkins’ talent is easy to spot and I think his ability to hit the big play with any carry plays right into the scheme Satterfield is looking to implement.

A player that has had the word ‘electric’ used many times by the coaching staff during practice about him, Hawkins seems to be a favorite of the coaches and that usually means he’ll be given ample opportunity to carry the ball.

Outlook

Although he doesn’t project as the starter or the dark horse to watch, I think Williams will find a role in the offense.

I do not foresee Hall or Hawkins (or any other back for that matter) carrying the ball 150 times this year. I think we are in for a split between the three backs in some manner.

My guess is that Hall gets the early-down carries. Hawkins spells him for a series here and there. Williams is your short-yardage back.

All of that, plus the quarterbacks will still be given the chance to run in an RPO offense.

Having capable backs in the first three lines of the depth chart is a good problem to have if you are Louisville.

Next. Roundtable: Louisville 2019 game-by-game predictions. dark

If they reach their potential and avoid injuries, we could see a three-headed monster in the backfield that keeps opposing defenses off-balance and pushes Louisville’s offense to the next level.

Home/Louisville Cardinals News