Louisville football: 3 biggest needs remaining in class of 2021

Running back

Current roster: Javian Hawkins (RS So.), Hassan Hall (Jr.), Jalen Mitchell (RS Fr.), Aidan Robbins (RS Fr.)

Schools often time become known for their ability to specialize in recruiting and developing players at a specific position that are the most important to their scheme who become synonymous with success whether that be from production, star value, or starting/continuing a pipeline to the NFL. With Scott Satterfield at the helm for Louisville football, I expect running back to become the position that attracts the highest level of talent on the recruiting trail moving forward.

Unlike past coaches who have been at Louisville, the run-heavy scheme deployed by Scott Satterfield is notoriously known for producing 1,000-yard rusher after another as we saw in his first season courtesy of Javian Hawkins. That trend will continue in 2020 with Hawkins, and maybe even Hassan Hall (or so I predicted earlier this week)  which means it’s only a matter of time before national recognition follows.

We all know what that does for recruiting, and while the program isn’t there yet the level of talent they courted and received significant interest from late last year and early this year show that it’s only a matter of time before the Cards snag their first elite back.

There have been a few big misses already this recruiting cycle in Corey Kiner who looked to be headed towards a commitment before LSU landed a surprise commitment as well as Colby McDonald, who chose Maryland over the Cards. But that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of talent or impact players on the board.

WithHawkins and Hassan Hall, both draft-eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft the need for a running back hasn’ been higher since prior to the new staff arriving in Louisville. Jalen Mitchell and Aidan Robbins will both enter their redshirt freshman season after seeing very little playing time last year and could see extended action in 2020. However, that still leaves Louisville with a potential pickle should their primary backs decide they’ve shown enough to go pro.

Justin Johnson is the guy at the top of the board right now and is a player who is more than capable of stepping in and playing right away. Johnson is strongly considering Louisville along with West Virginia amongst others but doesn’t appear he’s tracking towards a commitment just yet. He’s a very talented back who would bring a great deal of speed and versatility to the backfield and could be a great compliment to a guy like Mitchell or Robbins.

Assuming that Hawkins and Hall have the type of seasons that we all expect them to have, which could include national recognition, I expect new names to emerge as higher-ranked players begin to take notice. Louisville could take one or two backs in this class, depending on what happens with their underclassmen with draft decisions, but either way, look for them to get their running back of the future in the class of 2021.