Ranking the 25 most important players for Louisville football in 2019

Did we really just put Ean Pfeifer above Malik Cunningham? Yes.

Are you confused about this choice? Maybe.

Will you give me a chance to explain? Hopefully.

Themes are emerging when the new Louisville staff discusses certain position groups. The offensive line needs to move as a unit, The quarterback’s need to consistently make the right decisions, The RB’s have to make ball security their top priority – and the tight ends have to be able to block.

Satterfield has said that his offense will include two, and even three TE sets at times. That sounds exciting – until you realize Louisville had barely any tight ends on the roster.

Enter Ean Pfeifer.

Pfeifer is a great pickup for the Cards, especially at a position of need. Considering how Satterfield has explained that his tight ends will act as an extension of the offensive line on a lot of the sets they will run, Pfeifer makes total sense.

As an impressive highschool prospect earning the Willie Roaf Award as the top offensive lineman in Arkansas, Pfifer brings SEC experience as a two-year starter for Vanderbilt – even earning freshman All-SEC honors.

He obviously has the blocking credentials, but the other factor that should translate to success at tight end for Pfeifer? His body.

Ean has put in WORK in the offseason.

Coming in at 6’4” and competing against some of the most talented collegiate players in the SEC, Pfeifer was playing around 300 pounds. He’s since leaned down to a solid 255 pounds, making him a potential wrecking ball on the field at tight end.

Much like Russ Yeast, we’re hoping to see Pfeifer thrive at his new position under Satterfield’s offense this season.