What to expect from the running backs on the Louisville football team

The Louisville football team is looking to keep the offense at a high level this season after they were surprisingly good in 2023. They will have new starters all over the place, especially at the skill positions. The Cardinals change their leading passer, rusher, and receiver from a year ago.

As far as the running backs are concerned, Louisville lost their top two rushers from last year. Running the ball was a big part of the offense last season. Their top two rushers combined for about 2,000 yards last season and now both of those guys are gone.

Insert transfer back Donald Chaney. Chaney comes in from Miami and is projected to be the starter at running back. He is not as productive as Jawhar Johnson was last season but he does have four years of collegiate experience. This will be the first time he's the undisputed starter.

What to expect from the Louisville football team's running backs

Louisville averaged 178.5 yards per game on the ground a year ago. That was in the top half of college football. They know it's important to run the ball and it sets up what they can do through the air. It will likely be their identity throughout this season.

How well Chaney can pick it up and be a true number-one back determines how well they're going to be able to run it. He was on the Doak Walker Award watchlist to start the season, so that's a good sign for what people think he can possibly be this season for the Cardinals.

I don't think production will drop off too much from a year ago. I do think Brohm will want to throw it a bit more later in the year, but they will be a running team early on. That's especially true when the Notre Dame game rolls around.

The running backs will be a big part of this offense. How well they do determines the ceiling of this team.