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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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CLEMSON, SC – OCTOBER 11: Members of the Louisville Offensive line wait on the field in between plays during the game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on October 11, 2014 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – OCTOBER 11: Members of the Louisville Offensive line wait on the field in between plays during the game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on October 11, 2014 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Caleb Chandler – Left guard

Junior

  • 2019 stats: 13 starts
  • 2019 BRL ranking: Unranked

There won’t be many people who agree with the notion that starting left guard Caleb Chandler will be the fifth most important player in 2020, but when you see things from a bigger picture you may at least come closer to understanding.

When we were drafting players, after the obvious choices early, it really felt like Chandler was the next-most important player on this list.

It is not realistic to expect the Louisville defense to take a quantum leap this season, but it is in the realm of possibility to have an all-time great offense.

That won’t be possible, however, without continued success from Chandler on the left side.

Last year, Chandler was a big-time help with Mekhi Becton on the left side of the line, where Louisville loved to run the ball.

Offensive coordinator Dwayne Ledford is known for his ability to transform offensive lines and does so with world-class individual instruction. Though Becton was the high draft pick last season, his body of work already spoke for itself. Chandler was the player who truly improved and held steady, creating a solid wall on their side of the line.

As GoCards.com notes, Chandler graded out strongly in games during the back half of last season:

  • Turned in an 84 percent grade with a pair of knockdowns against Virginia
  • Finished at 79percent in the win at NC State
  • Tallied two knockdowns with an 81 percent grade in the win over Syracuse

If Louisville is going to reach its fullest potential, the offensive line play must continue to improve. That begins with continued excellence from Chandler, who projects to be Ledford’s next big-time prospect.

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