Louisville football returns a bevy of talent in its backfield for the 2020 season. Why the Cardinals may have the best running back unit in the country.
We are barely two years into a new era of Louisville football, but the Cardinals are knocking on the door of legitimate national relevancy a pretty short time after crashing and burning during a 2-10 season under Bobby Petrino.
Scott Satterfield and his outstanding staff are back nearly completely intact for year two, and the Cardinals are looking to seize momentum.
One area where the Cards are probably going to be nationally recognized is in the backfield- particularly with the duo of Javian Hawkins and Hassan Hall returning from a year where they combined for over 2,000 yards on the ground.
Running back’s coach Norval McKenzie spoke with Mark Ennis on The Drive on Thursday and had this to say about the improvement of both Hawkins and Hall in the offseason.
"“I thought in spring. they had done exceptionally well. It first starts out with confidence, and they have that knowing the system now and knowing our playbook.” “I thought they improved from a physical standpoint with what coach Mike (Sirignano) has been doing in the weight room, and now I think they have improved from a mental standpoint from what we’ve been able to install offensively in those seven practices and those guys were able to grasp the material.”"
McKenzie knows he has something special in this tandem, but just how great could they be?
I think there is potential for the Cardinals backfield to be the best in the country in 2020. Here’s why: