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Louisville football: 5 players standing to benefit from expanded roles in 2020

By Jacob Lane

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 30: Corey Reed #2 of the Louisville Cardinals runs the ball during the game against the Murray State Racers at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 30: Corey Reed #2 of the Louisville Cardinals runs the ball during the game against the Murray State Racers at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 30: Corey Reed #2 of the Louisville Cardinals fumbles the ball while tackled by Marquez Sanford #6 and D’Montre Wade #5 of the Murray State Racers during the game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 30: Corey Reed #2 of the Louisville Cardinals fumbles the ball while tackled by Marquez Sanford #6 and D’Montre Wade #5 of the Murray State Racers during the game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Corey Reed- WR

Junior

In what could be one of the more interesting stories of the year, Louisville wide receiver Corey Reed has returned after a one-year absence.

Reed was a blossoming star for the Cardinals during his freshman season in 2017, but after not playing the entirety of the 2018 season, he opted to transfer to Iowa Western Community College.

After one year with IWCC, Reed is back in the fold for the Cardinals with the opportunity to win a starting job in the absence of graduated senior Seth Dawkins.

Dawkins got a ton of snaps during his four years with the Cards because of his sure-handedness and excellent blocking. However, Reed feels like the perfect replacement in his predecessor’s absence.

Reed is 6’3,” 206, which is almost the exact same size as Dawkins. And he has a similar skill set.

In his freshman season, Reed recorded 8 catches for 145 yards, and in his stint at IWCC, Reed recorded 19 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns in only four games.

He was rated as a four-star receiver coming out of high school for a reason, and Reed could be a serious problem all over the field for the Cardinals. Under new wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer, Tutu Atwell, Dez Fitzpatrick, and Dawkins (among others) showed that they were complete receivers. They excelled in the blocking game, and when their numbers were called, they were sure-handed.

Louisville will have Christian Fitzpatrick and Justin Marshall competition for reps in place of Dawkins in 2020, but Reed may be the most equipped to pick up where he left off.

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