For Louisville football receiver Tyler Harrell, there’s never been a more perfect opportunity.
2 catches for 36 yards typically isn’t the stat line that would get you excited about a player. Let’s be real. However, in the case of Louisville football wide receiver Tyler Harrell, his numbers don’t come close to telling the full story.
If you’ve paid attention to the Louisville football program even slightly during the offseason, you’ve probably heard Harrell mentioned. Since Louisville football wrapped up spring practice there’s been a ton of praise coming his way and for good reason. Especially after being named the Most Improved Player for the offense.
After watching others turn spring practice reps into a prominent role during fall (Marshon Ford, Javian Hawkins, Jack Fagot, Ramon Puryear, etc.) Harrell saw an opportunity and took advantage.
“Yes, I did (see an opportunity). Timing is everything, so I always focus every year like it was my last. I just keep working hard until I had that chance.”
The set back before the comeback
That opportunity should’ve come much earlier in his career at Louisville football if we’re being honest. Coming out of high school in the class of 2018, Harrell was looked at as a player capable of becoming the next stud receiver, after choosing Louisville over Syracuse, Purdue, Illinois, and others.
Since arriving at Louisville things haven’t exactly gone according to plan. Harrell caught his only two career passes during his first season (he also returned 3 kickoffs for 71 yards) and over the course of the next two seasons would only see the field twice more. Serious injuries and the logjam at receiver have made things challenging for Harrell, but that doesn’t mean he should be counted out. The redshirt sophomore hasn’t lost any confidence and it appears his moment will finally come this season.
Satterfield and wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer haven’t lost confidence either. In fact, both have praised the speed & overall playmaking ability of Harrell at every turn. Coach Brew talked about Harrell on From The Pink Seats Podcast, saying:
“He’s a guy who can lift the lid, take the top off. He’s got a lot of speed. He can be a deep-threat guy. You still gotta catch it, you don’t get points for being open. You still got to make the shot and catch the ball, which he’s done a much better job with.”
Speed, speed, speed
Harrell’s natural abilities and talent have been on display all offseason, especially during Louisville’s internal “pro day.” That’s the event where Harrell’s 40-yard dash was hand-timed at 4.19 and officially landed at an impressive 4.24, the fastest on the team. The speed & homerun ability will be desperately needed as the Cards look to replace NFL Draft picks Dez Fitzpatrick & Tutu Atwell. In a way, things have come full circle. After having sat behind Fitzpatrick & Atwell, Harrell will have the chance to replace them & it’s the opportunity he saw coming.
He told the media, “I realized last year after our last game, knowing that Tutu and Dez are going to the league. I knew somebody had to step up to the table, so this is my chance to step up.
Brewer talked about how the opportunity to replace Fitzpatrick & Atwell has been a welcomed part of the offseason. He told us on From The Pink Seats:
“It actually helps the room [not having a go-to guy]. They know. When you’re in there and you’re sitting there with Tutu and Dez, who proved themselves, you know that the game plan is going to be more geared towards them. You get your balls where you can. So now it’s like everyone’s competing, iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens another. In that case, those guys are getting every day, competing against each other. They know ‘I can be that dude if I prove it.”
What to expect from Tyler Harrell in 2021
Harrell will continue competing with receivers Braden Smith, Justin Marshall, Justin Watkins, and Shai Werts for snaps on the field. Harrell knows what he brings to the offense, saying “they’re [the coaching staff] going to see a great route runner, good hands and good getting off the ball, getting off the line, and great blocking. If he’s able to stay healthy, expect a heavy dose of Harrell this season for Louisville football.
We saw just how explosive the Louisville football offense could be back in 2019. That season Harrell watched Atwell lead the country in plays over 50+, 60+, 70+, 80+, and 90+ yards, doing it with his incredible speed. Now with Atwell gone & the offense desperately needing big plays, Harrell will have his opportunity to become the leading deep threat.
With the offensive line expected to be much more stable in 2021, quarterback Malik Cunningham should be able to get back to his 2019 form. As one of the top pocket passing quarterbacks that season, Cunningham thrived when having a reliable target to hit down the field. In order to regain that form, Cunningham will need better decision-making as well as a new receiver to emerge. Harrell’s speed will undoubtedly become a huge part of the offense and could help him become Cunningham’s go-to guy, whether that be deep or over the middle.
As of now, Harrell will likely start the season in a backup role but it may not be for long. We discussed the receiver depth chart in-depth on the latest episode of From The Pink Seats, which you can listen to below.
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