Projecting the Louisville football offensive depth chart headed into spring

Who makes up the depth chart for the Louisville football offense.

Spring practice gets underway for the Louisville football program on Monday, which means it’s time to start speculating on what a depth chart may look like.

There are a ton of storylines heading into spring practice for the Cards, following a 4-7 season. Maybe, however, none bigger than the staff turnover that has been happening for the last several weeks.

After losing just one coach last offseason, Scott Satterfield has already lost four coaches this offseason. The offense has been hit hardest by the turnover, losing Dwayne Ledford (OL/OC), Norval McKenzie (RB), and Frank Ponce (QB). They’ll be replaced by two coaches new to the program, De’Rail Sims (RB) and reportedly, Jack Bicknell Jr. (OL) of ECU and Auburn respectively. Satterfield also hired quality control assistant Pete Thomas who has been here for two seasons working with the OL & QB.

There is a lot of pressure on Satterfield to get his team back near the eight wins they had in 2019. No one expected the Cards to go 4-7 with Tutu Atwell and Javian Hawkins returning. Which made the decision to interview and consider South Carolina fuel to the already burning fire. There will be little room for error, at least from the fanbase’s perspective, making this spring maybe the most important yet.

Louisville football has been working hard this offseason and the staff likely will go into these practices with an idea of who will start. We probably won’t get a depth, so here is my first edition of the offensive depth chart.

Who won’t be returning for the Louisville football offense in 2021

QB – Jawon Pass (Transferred to Towson), Tee Webb (Transfered to Southern Miss)

RB – Javian Hawkins (Declared for NFL Draft)

WR – Tutu Atwell (Declared for NFL Draft), Dez Fitzpatrick (Declared for NFL Draft/Senior), Corey Reed (Transferred to Jackson State)

TE – Ean Pfeifer (Declared for NFL Draft/Senior)

OL – Cam DeGeorge (Declared for NFL Draft/Senior), Jackson Gregory (Transfer)

Quarterback –

1. Malik Cunningham (RS Sr.)
2. Evan Conley (Jr.)

Malik Cunningham is the starting quarterback entering camp, no questions asked. However, that doesn’t mean this won’t be an important time for competition. As new QB coach Pete Thomas told us on From the Pink Seats Podcast, competing will be a huge part of spring. Evan Conley is back for his third season and if there was ever a time for him to push for playing time it would be now. The big concern here is what is available behind those two. Thomas confirmed walk-on Tyler Jensen will participate, giving the Cards three QB’s + transfer Shai Werts. It’s going to be a very interesting spring for this position as we wait to see if Cunningham can play at an elite level without turning over the ball.

Running back –

1. Maurice Burkley (RS Sr.) or Hassan Hall (Jr.)
2. Jalen Mitchell (RS Fr.)
3. Aidan Robbins (RS Fr.)
4. Trevion Cooley (Fr.)

Louisville football legit has four running backs whom I’d be comfortable with as the starting tailback come Labor Day weekend. While we’ve been spoiled with a dominant workhorse back the last two seasons, I don’t think that will be the case this year. I expect this to look like the Satterfield version of 2017 when Louisville football had Reggie Bonnafon, Malik Williams, Trey Smith, Colin Wilson, and Dae Williams. Spring is going to be uber-competitive in this position group and ultimately I think they start with Burkley/Hall as the lead backs.

Wide receiver #1 –

1. Braden Smith (Jr.)
2. Josh Johnson (RS Sr.)

Braden Smith got the season started off with a bang but due to having so many other targets on the field, he wasn’t ever able to be a consistent threat. This season he should immediately become the go-to guy for Malik Cunningham, making this spring very important. I’d also keep an eye on Josh Johnson, who could play both inside or outside. Rocking #0 at the end of the season he finally got the opportunity to get on the field after multiple injuries. He finished with four receptions for 40 yards and showed a nice combination of hands + speed. Being healthy in spring should be a huge help for Louisville’s depth overall.

Wide receiver #2 –

1. Justin Marshall (Rs. Jr.)
2. Christian Fitzpatrick (Fr.)
3. Demetrius Cannon (Fr.)

Assuming that Justin Marshall & Christian Fitzpatrick are lining up on the same side of the field, this should be a relatively noteworthy competition. Fitzpatrick could compete with Smith for the outside position but for now, I think it’s likely that he plays the long side of the field. Marshall made some plays in 2020 but didn’t quite live up to the preseason expectations. He caught just 7 passes for 87 yards. At 6’3, he’s got the size to become a red-zone target as well as the speed to play over the middle of the field. Expect Fitzpatrick to push hard for a starting role. Remember, Dez broke out in his second season on campus at Louisville and there’s no reason to believe Christian couldn’t do the same.

We talked about Marshall in more detail on the From The Pink Seats Podcast along with guests Cam Teague (Courier-Journal) and Keith Wynne (Card Chronicle).

Wide receiver #2 –

1. Jordan Watkins (So.)
2. Shai Werts (Sr.)
3. Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (Fr.)

Replacing the overall talent and production of Atwell is going to be difficult, but when it comes to speed the slot position is still very strong. Jordan Watkins seems most likely to step into the role after playing well in the final stretch of the season. However, incoming QB/WR/Athlete, Werts should be strong competition (assuming he plays in the slot). Watkins will have the leg up for a starting role having been in the system for a year. What Werts brings to the table (i.e, versatility and experience) means he’s going to be a big factor in the offense. Spring practice is where that role will begin to take shape. Also, keep an eye on AHB (Ahmari Huggins-Bruce). He’s a prized recruit from the 2021 class and has all of the same skillsets that made Atwell so dynamic.

H-Back –

1. Marshon Ford
2. Duane Martin
3. Isaac Martin

Marshon Ford is going to be the weapon most familiar with Cunningham entering the 2021 season and that makes his role in the H-back/TE room even more important. Ford has been a nasty blocker and touchdown catching machine the last two seasons, but he’s going to need to become an even better playmaker in the passing game in 2021. Duane Martin and Isaac Martin will both see the field, especially as Ford lines up in different spots, and should provide solid blocking. I absolutely loved what I saw from Duane Martin last year in limited time and I expect him to become even more of a factor this season.

Tight end –

1. Francis Sherman
2. Dez Melton

Do you mean to tell me, P Sherman, 42 wallaby way is our tight end? You may not recognize the name Francis Sherman, but you’ve been on notice here now. I had a birdie tell me last season to watch out for Sherman at the tight end position. And though it took a bit of time, that person ended up being right. Sherman will step into the role left behind by 9th year senior Ean Pfeifer and he should be a nice replacement. Pfeifer become more of a downfield passing weapon last year and that’s where I expect Melton to play a bigger role this season.

Left tackle –

1. Adonis Boone
2. Trevor reid

With new offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. in tow, there’s really no idea yet what to expect from the line. Adonis Boone’s play improved as the season went on and with that in mind, I expect him to be the starting LT this season once again. He’s an athletic guy who can move, which is crucial with a mobile quarterback. We saw and heard all about Trevor Reid last season, though he didn’t see the field much. He’s crazy athletic and can push Boone for a starting role. I expect him to become more of an integral part of the offensive line this year.

Right tackle –

1. Renato Brown
2. Tim Lawson

Renato Brown, much like Boone, improved as the season went on in 2020; although things started very rocky. He is the starter until someone supplants him, which is what’s going to make this position fun to watch during spring. The backup at RT last season was Cam DeGeorge, who won’t be returning this year. Zach Williamson and Tim Lawson, two Satterfield recruited players, should be competing for that backup spot. I tend to lean towards Lawson due to his size, athleticism, and versatility.

Left guard –

1. Caleb Chandler
2. Kobe Baynes

Caleb Chandler shouldn’t have problems retaining the starting role at LG for the third season in a row. His play wasn’t as consistently dominant as I thought it would be last year, so I’m hoping with a new interior line focused coach that he benefits in a major way. Freshman Kobe Baynes was mentioned by Dwayne Ledford on a few occasions as standing out, but we rarely got to see him on the field. Now with DeGeorge gone, Baynes should be able to find some more snaps or at least be a solid replacement in case of injury.

Right guard –

1. Bryan Hudson
2. Kobe Baynes or Austin Collins or Luke Kandra

The right guard spot will be another big position battle during spring practice, especially with a new o-line coach. Bryan Hudson, who transferred back home to Kentucky after playing at Virginia Tech, is the current favorite to start. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if he ultimately ended up at center with Cole Bentley playing at the right guard spot or one of the talented underclassmen. We got very small glimpses of Baynes and Austin Collins last season, while he never got to see former three-star offensive guard, Luke Kandra. There were plenty of people high on Kandra and he is going to push hard for playing time in my opinion. The more competition along the offensive line the better. Robbie Bell will be a factor come fall but is not expected to be available for spring.

Center –

1. Cole Bentley
2. Joshua Black

Louisville football is fortunate to be getting back a four-year starter in Cole Bentley. Not only do the Cards have limited experience on their roster, but they also have limited depth. Joshua Black is the only other “center” on the roster following the transfer of Jackson Gregory. Bentley was one of the better linemen for Louisville last year and his leadership and steadiness should be a huge part in improving. Hudson played center at Virginia Tech and could slide over if Bentley doesn’t meet the standards of Bicknell Jr.

Check back this weekend for the defensive depth chart for Louisville football’s upcoming spring practice.