Way too early Louisville football depth chart: Running back

Others: Aidan Robbins, Jalen Mitchell, Maurice Burkley

Robbins & Mitchell (RS freshman), Burkley (RS senior)

Waiting in the wings behind Hawkins and Hall are a couple guys who are talented enough to see playing time but would be more than glad to soak up some knowledge in the meantime.

Aidan Robbins

The local product out of DuPont Manual was one of the few holdovers from Louisville’s 2019 recruiting class that the previous coaching staff recruited and Satterfield’s staff came in and wanted to keep.

Robbins is the largest player in the running backs room, and he serves as a great change of pace back after a redshirt season.

What stands out immediately is that Robbins was 6’2,” 205 pounds coming out of high school, but is now listed as 6’3,” 230 pounds heading into his redshirt freshman season. On the heels of a torn labrum during his senior season, Robbins is going on two years since he’s seen in-game action. That should change this year.

Robbins has the ability to shed tacklers and keep the puppies moving, but his burst and speed is likely to surprise a lot of people. I look at Robbins as a guy with a Dae Williams type of game, but with more breakaway speed.

Jalen Mitchell

True freshman Jalen Mitchell is a player who is extremely intriguing because of how much a college weight program could change his game.

At 5’11,” 205 pounds, Mitchell is a big bruising tailback with a great motor and nimble feet, but he is a guy who could add a little more burst to his game when he gets on campus.

In high school, Mitchell, a Brevard County, Florida native, faced some high-level competition, and what stands out is his ability to elude tackles. Unlike much of Robbins’ opponents who try to tackle high, Mitchell uses great balance to stay on his feet when he has multiple defenders around his ankles. He shows great instincts and the ability to keep piles moving, which is something Cards fans loved about Hawkins last season.

If opportunity comes knocking, Mitchell should be ready in year one.

Maurice Burkley

A mainstay on Louisville’s roster, Burkley is a redshirt senior who means more to the roster than I’m sure most realize.Serving his dues as a practice squad player and backup, Burkley was the running back who got carries last season when Hawkins and Hall weren’t in the game.

While there wasn’t a ton of work available, Burkley finished 2019 with eight carries for 43 yards. Though he is unlikely to see significant snaps in 2020, Burkley is the sort of player that helps with the cohesion of a college locker room.