Louisville football: Four biggest story lines entering spring practice

The potential impact of having 15 early enrollees on the depth of Louisville football

One of the biggest ongoing storylines for Louisville football last season was the lack of depth overall on the roster and how hard it was to get by each and every week without the proper number of players to play at key positions.

The defensive line, offensive line, linebackers, and secondary all were impacted by this last season and it was never more evident than in some of the blowouts the Cards took from teams down the stretch.

Clemson, Miami, and even Kentucky manhandled the Cards at the point of attack and took advantage of players not having the luxury of being able to come out at opportune times to catch their breath.

The arrival of those freshman/junior college transfers couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Cards head into 2020 only losing only seven of 22 starters on offense/defense while returning their leading passer, rusher, receiver, and six of their top eight returning tacklers.

This season Louisville will welcome 25 new players in the class of 2020 who are hungry to push the program to the next level, including an incredible 15 early enrollees who are already on campus and will go through their first spring practice with the team.

Tee Web (QB), Christian Fitzpatrick (WR), Braden Smith (WR), Daune Martin (HB/TE), Kobe Baynes (OT), Yaya Diaby (DE), Ja’Darien Boykin (DE), Henry Bryant (DT), Kameron Wilson (OLB), Marvin Dallas (OLB), Zay Peterson (OLB/S), Lovie Jenkins (S), Marqui Lowery (CB), Jamel Starks (CB), and Brock Travelstead (K) make up that list of 15 all of whom (aside from likely Webb) will have every opportunity for early playing time.

We’ve highlighted players who have the potential as freshmen to have stand out seasons, and while we just listed four, nearly every player could have a chance at playing time this season. The defensive line and secondary should have plenty of opportunities for new players to stand out and earn snaps. Tee Webb could push Jawon Pass and Evan Conley for the backup quarterback role (but it’s more likely he’ll redshirt). Brock Travelstead without question could and should win the kicking competition with Blanton Creque now graduated and gone. While other players like Kameron Wilson, Kobe Baynes, and Marvin Dallas could find themselves playing valuable roles right away as well.

Having 15 new players go through spring practice has the potential to change a lot on both sides of the ball for Louisville football in 2020 as the Cards begin to get the much-needed depth they’ve been asking for.