Louisville football: Four incoming freshmen who could play vital role in 2020
By Jacob Lane
Christian Fitzpatrick – WR
Louisville’s receiving core will take a bit of a hit depth-wise this offseason for the first time in what feels like an eternity, as multiple players will graduate while others have elected (or could elect) to transfer.
Thankfully, Scott Satterfield’s program has multiple weapons locked in for the 2020 class highlighted by familar name, Christian Fitzpatrick.
Of course, you know him as Dez Fitzpatrick’s younger brother. But what you may not quite understand is the skill and size he’ll bring to the table, making him an almost Taylor-made fit to replace the reliable senior, Seth Dawkins.
Fitzpatrick is as familar with Louisville as maybe any recruit in history, having been coming to games with his family to support his older brother. He not only got to experience the program as a family member but also as a potential Louisville recruit – becoming a player of interest for Bobby Petrino and his staff back in 2017-2018. Scott Satterfield and his staff continued to build the relationship with Fitzpatrick, making him a priority at an already stacked receiver position.
The younger Fitzpatrick made multiple trips to Louisville to meet the new staff but after a visit to Mike Leach’s Washington State program – he pulled the trigger on a commitment and it looked like he wouldn’t follow in his brother’s footsteps after so much talk that he would.
Thankfully that changed. Fitzpatrick was in town when his brother put together the biggest game of his career in what was a breakout game for the Louisville offense – ultimately flipped his commitment to Louisville.
He’ll give Louisville a big and physical receiver who much like his brother has years and years of route running teaching from their father Greg Fitzpatrick, which has translated into him becoming one of the most highly-south after pass-catchers in the country.
If there’s anything I know about Fitzpatrick even never having seen him play in person. He’s an incredibly gifted athlete who works nonstop to perfect his craft. It may take a while for him to get adjusted to the speed and physicality of the college game, but with his understanding of the position and familiarity with the staff and program – he should be able to make a major impact right away.