Big Red Louie
Fansided

Louisville football: Three underrated players heading into fall camp

By Presley Meyer

Louisville Cardinals head coach Scott Satterfield (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Louisville Cardinals head coach Scott Satterfield (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 21: Tight End Jordan Davis #85 of the Louisville Cardinals makes a catch over Cornerback Kyle Meyers #14 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 21, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Cardinals 35 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 21: Tight End Jordan Davis #85 of the Louisville Cardinals makes a catch over Cornerback Kyle Meyers #14 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 21, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Cardinals 35 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Isaac Martin- TE

One storyline to watch in 2020 for Louisville football is the emergence of the next man up at tight end.

Entering the offseason, the status of last year’s starter Ean Pfeifer was up in the air, but recently it appears he was granted one more year of eligibility and will return as the presumptive starter in 2020.

At H-back, breakout star Marshon Ford will be penciled in as the starter next season.

But what about the reserves? The Cards could utilize freshman Dez Melton. But, if I had to put my money on the guy who’s the next man up, and potentially a starter in 2020, it’s Isaac Martin.

The Louisville Trinity product walked on under Bobby Petrino, but he has been wow-ing the new staff since they arrived on campus.

At 6’1,” 250-pounds, Martin was seen more as a blocking fullback in Petrino’s system, but apparently Satterfield and co. like him at tight end where he saw action in 12 games last year, making one catch for 8 yards.

Just recently, Martin was placed on scholarship by the staff which could be a sign of things to come for the redshirt junior.

https://twitter.com/trinitysports/status/1277937027825184771?s=21

Like Pfeifer and Ford, Martin brings that edge as a tough-nosed blocker who could quietly become a game-changer for other playmakers in the open field.

Having someone who can get out front and shed some would-be tacklers is crucial in Louisville’s system that allows speedy playmakers to do some serious damage.

Martin is the perfect example of what the staff has been looking to do in its walk-on program. They bring in under the radar talent, help them develop, and eventually some guys turn into scholarship players worthy of seeing playing time.

We saw this last year with Ford and Jack Fagot among others, and it’s a trend that could continue to help lessen the curve for a squad still rebuilding from a tough 2018 season.

Home/Louisville Football