Louisville football: Pass catchers have a chance to put a stamp on the program in 2019

The tight ends

Jordan Davis

Jordan Davis will be the perfect example of what happens when a player finds the right opportunity at the right time. After playing mostly in a reserve role in Bobby Petrino’s offense, Davis should be the top target at tight end and without question will be in store for a breakout season. In two years he’s caught just six passes for 111 yards, stats he should easily be able to outproduce in his one and only year as the starter for Louisville.

We’ve talked about it quite a bit this summer, but the tight end provides so much value in Satterfield’s run-heavy offense, not only in pass-catching but serving as an additional blocker and helping in pass protection. Davis is a solid blocker and also has shown in limited snaps, that he can catch the football in space, and get into the endzone.

In an effort to become the star needed for the Louisville offense, Davis has made big changes to his body and it has given him a new chance to shine. Holt said:

“He changed his body in the offseason and I’m proud of the buy-in he had in the offseason. “He’s a tough matchup. He’s a guy that is tall and can run and has strength.”

Get used to seeing a lot of Jordan Davis this season. He’s not just a big piece to the tight end group but could be one of the most important players for Louisville this season.

Ean Pfeifer

Vanderbilt graduate-transfer offensive linemen, turned tight Ean Pfeifer is another guy who has dedicated his summer to getting his body in the best possible shape for his new position going from over 300 pounds to around 260.

Pfeifer, just like Davis, should thrive in the Satterfield offense with his versatility. Obviously, playing as a guard at Vanderbilt, Pfeifer has the blocking portion of the tight end position down pat. He oftentimes will play in two-tight end sets, serving as an extra blocker (usually in tight yardage situations) and could develop into a nice pass-catcher.

The fact that Satterfield and the new staff took Pfeifer at a new position shows me that they believe in his ability to be able to make plays and provide a lot of value to the position and the offense overall.

Dez Melton

In his first season with Louisville, three-star tight end Dez Melton will provide Stu Holt and the Cardinals offense with another versatile option, specifically in the passing game.

Melton won’t play a ton of snaps as a freshman with Davis and Pfeifer in front of him, but when he does he’ll give the Louisville offense a tall target at 6’4, who could go under the radar with opposing defenses. He’s got a lot of work to do to get up to snuff in the new offense since he didn’t enroll until late in the summer.

The h-backs

Tobias Little

Once upon a time, Tobias Little was being talked about as a potential starter at the running back position for Louisville. But now returning back from the knee injury that kept him out of the entire 2018 season, Little will move to a new position.

He’ll still play in the backfield, but he’ll do so in the “halfback” or “h-back” spot instead. What he’ll be asked to do will be similar to other tight ends, in terms of blocking and occasionally running routes on passing play it will be so in what Stu Holt calls “off the ball.”

Little gives the Cards offense a big body to be one of the last lines of defense for either the quarterback or the running back, and can occasionally carry the ball on short-yardage plays or run simple check down routes for the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly.

Holt said:

"“One of our strengths is that we can evaluate football players and see where they fit into our system. Tobias Little – for example. He was a good running back, but he’s a heavier guy and has nice center of gravity and is a guy who can play the H.”"

Marshon Ford

Going from walk-on to scholarship this summer, former Ballard star Marshon Ford will play a role for the Cardinals offense for the first time in his career.

Ford was the beneficiary of one of the scholarships awarded to walk-on’s in a really cool moment, for their hard work during spring practice and summer workouts. He’ll now provide the team a backup option to Little at the h-back spot, who can bring some versatility to the field.

After a fall practice, Ford spoke to the media about his new role on the team, saying:

"“I can catch. I can block. Whatever my team needs me to do, that’s what I’m going to do.. know my role is going to improve and grow for sure with this offense,” he said. “It’s definitely a blessing that they came in for my senior year and let me finally be able to show my full potential.”"

What will the depth chart look like?

Tight end: Jordan Davis, Ean Pfeifer, Dez Melton

H-back: Tobias Little, Marshon Ford

Speaking about his tight ends, Holt made it clear that he believes his group can be very good this season. But first, it will require them to find their roles, as Holt said,”The quicker everybody finds a role on this team, we’re going to jell faster and faster and that’s going to help us during the season.”