Louisville football: Five burning questions for 2019
By Jacob Lane
What will be Louisville football’s biggest strength in 2019?
Tanner Hickman: Running back and linebackers. There’s a stable of good running backs I think and it’s probably one of our deepest positions on offense outside of wide receiver. For linebackers, I think there are some players at that position with C.J. Avery, Dorian Etheridge, Rodjay Burns, and Boosie Whitlow not to mention the transfers coming in with transfers that could help. Those two groups on paper at least are our strength.
Presley Meyer: I noticed that ESPN’s David Hale, a respected football mind in my book, had Louisville ranked dead last among ACC linebackers. This is understandable given Louisville’s lethargy on defense last season, but I think it’s the single biggest strength for this team in 2019. The Cards are loaded at linebacker and have a number of options.
Starters CJ Avery and Dorian Etheridge have all-conference potential at linebacker, while Monty Montgomery, Rodjay Burns, TJ Holl, Boosie Whitlow, Nick Okeke, Gary McCrae, and Yasir Abdullah are all names to watch out for.
I love the receiving core, but until Louisville has consistency at quarterback I have a hard time putting them in front of the linebackers, who should thrive in Satterfield, Brown, and Dennison’s system.
Ethan Sprowles: Louisville’s talent at receiver and running back. Even though the stats may not show it, Louisville still has some serious talent there. Dez Fitzpatrick and Seth Dawkins are still NFL draft prospects, Tutu Atwell is regarded as one of the best-kept secrets in the conference. In the backfield, Hassan Hall seems to be primed for becoming Louisville’s first 1,000-yard rusher (at RB) since Bilal Powell. Javian Hawkins is a very talented and very fast running back, and let’s not forget that Devonte Peete is still around at receiver.
Jacob Lane: I expected the majority of our team to say running back and receiver, so I’m going to the opposite side of the ball. I think the linebackers may be the strongest position group on the team (outside of maybe special teams, which I ranked first earlier this summer) and could be one of the most overrated in the ACC.
They’ve got three solid inside linebackers in Dorian Etheridge, C.J. Avery, and Monty Montgomery, along with two guys who could be ready to play bigger roles as the season progresses in Robert Hicks and T.J. Holl. At outside linebacker, they bring over Rodjay Burns from corner to play the CARD role, which will allow him to be put in places for success in blitzing and helping to cover the run. On the other side, they have a lot of untapped potential in Boosie Whitlow, Gary McCrae, Nick Okeke, and Yasir Abdullah, all of whom could be breakout players this season.
Alan Thomas: ”Speed City” was no joke. They really were fast. But when a team collectively lays down for more than half a season, it’s hard to gauge possible trajectory. The Cards’ receiving talent is incredible, and it’s the strongest aspect of this squad.
Charron Elliott: The biggest strength will be the wide receivers Dez Fitzpatrick and Seth Dawkins. They are the two proven guys on offense when giving a chance to get catch the football.
Alex Stengel: This has the potential to come off as cliche, but any Louisville fan that has remotely paid attention in the offseason understands this necessity: A great, well-rounded, professional coaching staff.
Think about it – yes there are strong position groups you could single out for this answer, but we’ve seen what good talent and bad/no coaching can get you – 2-10.
Louisville has a challenging schedule in a major rebuilding year, so an experienced staff that will provide coaching, encouragement, and leadership when the going gets tough in 2019 will be a crucial asset.