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Louisville football: The 25 most important players for 2020

By Presley Meyer

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 05: Javian Hawkins #10 of the Louisville Cardinals runs the ball in the game against the Boston College Eagles at Cardinal Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 05: Javian Hawkins #10 of the Louisville Cardinals runs the ball in the game against the Boston College Eagles at Cardinal Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Louisville football QB evan conley runs
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 19: Evan Conley #6 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers at Cardinal Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 25: Evan Conley – Quarterback

Sophomore

  • 2019 stats: 40/71, 613 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT, 30 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
  • 2019 BRL ranking: Not ranked

Among the players on this list, there may not be a name we like more than back-up quarterback Evan Conley.

As a recruit, many fans doubted the coaching staff’s eye for talent when offering a scholarship to Conley, a two-star with no power five offers,

However, during his true freshman year, Conley went from an unknown third-stringer to a vital piece for the Cardinals in a matter of weeks.

Cunningham was sidelined with injuries or illness against Western Kentucky, Boston College, Wake Forest, Virginia, and Kentucky, and each time Cunningham went out, Conley did an admirable job filling in behind center.

He threw a touchdown pass on the second throw of his career against Western Kentucky. Two games later, Conley was forced to step in against Boston College for a significant time, rotating in and out when Cunningham could not go and was huge for the Cardinals. He completed 10 of 16 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown and led a game-winning drive against the Eagles.

The very next week, Conley was thrust into action in a similar manner and was captain clutch once again. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 196 yards, carried for 79 yards, and scored the game-winning touchdown in a shootout against Wake forest.

All in all, Conley was a huge asset in the seven games that he saw action for Louisville. Particularly in those two games against Boston College and Wake Forest, Louisville would not have won without him.

Cards fans should hope that they only see Conley to help preserve a blowout lead in 2020, but given Cunningham’s history of being injury-prone, knowing that you have an absolute gamer on the sidelines is a huge deal.

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