Roundtable: Previewing the 2019 Louisville football season
By Jacob Lane
Who is the most important player to the Cards’ success in 2019?
Tanner Hickman: The most important player will be Jawon Pass. Surprising I know, but there is talent at the receiver position but because they can’t throw the ball to themselves, Pass has to be able to get the ball to the playmakers.
Presley Meyer: It’s Hassan Hall. I think if Hall can have a breakthrough season, then that alleviates some pressure and really opens things up for the passing game, where there are a number of talented wideouts and tight ends.
Ethan Sprowles: Jawon Pass. You can have a solid defense, you can have some talented receivers, but if you can’t get the ball down the field with a formidable quarterback, life is going to be very difficult for you in football. Jawon Pass has to find a way to get his confidence back and keep it, because this season is not going to be easy. He has all the physical tools.
Jacob Lane: I agree with Alex Stengel, the most important player for 2019 is Hassan Hall. If Louisville isn’t able to establish the run, which is crucial to success in Scott Satterfield’s offense than they won’t be able to do much offensively which in turn will put the omen on the defense to carry the torch (which I’m not sure they can in year one).
The good thing is, I expect Hassan Hall to be the team’s MVP and one of the top backs in the ACC. I’ve given plenty of reasons why stats show that he’ll be successful, including the stats he put up in 2018 in limited snaps behind an awful offensive line.
Alan Thomas: This is going to sound mundane, but if you look at all the great successful teams across college football, they all have one thing in common: a solid quarterback. Typical answer? Yes. But if the Cards want to make some noise at all this season, it starts under center. Me personally, I think it’s Jawon Pass.
Alex Stengel: I know we’ve thrown out numerous names that will need to be great this year for the Cardinals to have a chance at a decent season in 2019, but it all starts with the QB.
It’s no secret everyone’s top concern going into the season is the QB play or more specifically, Jawon Pass’ success at the QB position. We’ve read the comments, we’ve listened to numerous interviews, we’ve watched any clips we can – and we’re all still nervously waiting to see what happens.
My hope for Jawon is that with a reduced workload in Satterfield’s run-focused game plan, he can improve his decision making with the throws he does make and be the game manager the staff needs him to be. Get the ball in the playmaker’s hands and let them work. That’s it.