Louisville football: Most underrated player at every position in 2020
Offense
Offensive Line
Robbie Bell, RS Sr
The offensive lineman that is probably taken for granted the most for the Cardinals heading into 2020 is rising fifth-year senior Robbie Bell.
A starter as a freshman, Bell was an instant-impact guy in the middle for the Cardinals, starting every game at center early on. However, an injury set Bell back in 2018 and he was unable to beat out Cole Bentley for the center spot during Petrino’s final season.
Things changed for Bell when Satterfield and offensive coordinator Dwayne Ledford arrived. The new staff saw Bell’s value on the line and moved him over to right guard while Bentley remained at center.
The move paid dividends for the staff in 2019, and though some talented depth up the middle will push Bell this season, he appears primed to be in for his best year yet.
Tight End
Tobias Little, RS Sr
The tight end position could go a lot of ways in 2020 given the uncertain status of potential sixth-year Ean Pfeifer and whether or not you consider dynamic blocker and pass-catcher Marshon Ford to be a “tight end” on the official depth chart.
Regardless, perhaps the most interesting name on the entire roster is Tobias Little. A highly touted recruit for the Cardinals out of high school, the Cardinals flipped Little from Missouri late in the process.
After being recruited as an inside linebacker, since 2016, Little has spent time at running back, full-back, H-back, tight end, and everywhere in between.
However, Little now sits as a top candidate as the presumptive starter in 2020, and could wind up being this year’s big surprise on offense.
Given his excellent athleticism and solid 245-pound frame, the Cardinals could utilize him all over the field this season.
Wide receiver
Josh Johnson, RS Jr
At the slot position, Louisville is loaded with returning All-ACC performer Tutu Atwell and much-anticipated JUCO transfer Braden Smith.
However, the Cardinals could greatly benefit from having a healthy Josh Johnson in 2020.
After averaging over 17 yards per catch in limited action as a true freshman, Johnson redshirted during the Petrino meltdown year, and then tore his ACL and missed the entire 2019 season.
Related: Way-too-early 2020 receivers depth chart
Still, don’t forget how explosive Johnson was in limited action as a freshman. He could be a great asset for the Cards if one of their slot receivers are unable to go at any point.
Running back
Hassan Hall, Jr
Who would have thought Hassan Hall would be tabbed as “underrated” a year after being tabbed as the go-to guy heading into his sophomore season.
Yet, here we are after an unbelievable break-out year from rising redshirt sophomore Javian Hawkins.
Still, Hall was more than just the Robin to Hawkins’ Batman in 2019, and it showed as he received second-team All-ACC honors as an all-purpose back and electric kick returner last season.
Related: Predicting Louisville’s next three commitments
While Hall might not have the breakaway speed of Hawkins, he is a dynamic back in his own right, and hits holes as well as anyone in the last decade for the Cards.
Hall went over the 500-yard mark on the ground last season, and he could work his way into the mix much more as a pass-catcher out of the backfield in 2020.
Quarterback
Puma Pass, RS Sr
No player has received more undue criticism for the Cardinals than fifth-year senior Puma Pass.
After waiting in the wings behind Lamar Jackson as the next big thing in Louisville, Pass fell flat in his first year as a starter when he was removed from the game in favor of now-starter Malik Cunningham in more than half of his starts in 2018.
2019 saw Pass as the presumptive starter again, but a turf toe injury put him out for the season after admirable performances against Notre Dame and Eastern Kentucky.
Pass isn’t a big-time NFL prospect or even a guy who looks capable of completely reversing the narrative on the crowd who doesn’t see him playing another game for the Cards. He fumbled three times in the season opener against the Fighting Irish, effectively killing all momentum during an upset bid.
However, Pass showed me enough to think that under Satterfield, he could be close to what expectations were for him all along.
Many have made the case for Evan Conley as the back-up in 2020, and that argument has legs. However, Pass has paid his dues, and he is not nearly as bad as a faction of fans makes him out to be. If his name is called in 2020, he has what it takes to be the guy for the Cards.