Louisville football: Five burning questions for 2019
By Jacob Lane
Who’s your breakout player for 2019 (offense or defense)
Tanner Hickman: My breakout player I’m going to go with is Russ Yeast. At one point Yeast was a big get for Louisville but never really had a chance to flash his potential in a defense that didn’t get the brakes beat off of it every Saturday. At one point, Yeast nearly transferred, from there he is now the starting safety Brown’s defense. I think Yeast can make some plays this year.
Presley Meyer: I could go a number of different directions here, but I’ll stick with Monty Montgomery. I don’t think anyone understands what a talent this guy is. He is the Louisville football equivalent to Montrezl Harrell: No regard for human life flies to the ball, loves to get physical, and plays with a massive chip on his shoulder.
Ethan Sprowles: Boosie Whitlow. Cards fans were all super excited to hear that Boosie Whitlow was coming here from South Carolina a couple of years ago. He was an elite recruit and is a talented player. But with everything going on with good ol’ Bobby 2.0, it seemed like it was tough for Boosie to get his feet on the ground here. Boosie is locked in as a starter and has seemed to really buy into this new coaching staff.
Jacob Lane: I’ve already been on record this summer saying that the break out player for Louisville will be Boosie Whitlow. The former South Carolina transfer is a perfect example of someone who came into the program with a ton of talent and potential but was never given an opportunity by Bobby Petrino. That will change this season as it seems the new staff really believes in him and what he brings to the defense as a senior.
At 6’3, 255-pounds, Whitlow has great size and combines it with speed, power, and elusiveness that should allow him to be a nice fit at the outside linebacker spot. He’ll thrive in pass-rushing situations, and that, of course, will be a huge part of improving overall on defense. I easily could see him leading the team in sacks at the completion of the 2019 season.
Alan Thomas: I’m pretty excited to see what kind of impact the offensive line has under Dwayne Ledford. Mekhi Becton should be the bright spot in the film room, and I think we’ll see a next-level type of development from him this season.
Charron Elliott: Louisville’s breakout player will be Hassan Hall, assuming that the offensive line is improved under Dewayne Ledford. If he is able to find some holes in the defense I think he could really be a huge threat on offense this year.
Alex Stengel: I am still riding high on the Ty Tyler bandwagon. The Marshall transfer has the potential to have a monster final season with the Cards, especially at a position of need on the defensive line. Already earning national recognition as one of the top college players for 2019 is definitely a good sign, and I think Tyler is ready to show the country (and definitely the ACC) that his talent belongs on a big stage.
I look for Ty Tyler to wreak havoc in backfields for Louisville this season, something that’s been dearly missed the last few years.