Five Louisville football players earned a spot on the 2020 All-ACC team.
This season didn’t go the way we expected it to for Louisville football. However, in a season with lots of negatives, the Cardinals received some positive news when five players were named to post-season All-ACC teams.
Things looked much different this season with multiple high-level players in the conference opting out, including Louisville football’s own Javian Hawkins. Still, it is apparent that Louisville still left a solid impression by landing multiple names on All-conference teams.
Let’s take a look at the players who landed on All-ACC squads.
Kei’Trel Clark- 2nd team
Can you imagine how good Liberty would’ve been with Clark on the roster this season? Louisville football benefited greatly when Clark arrived late in the summer following a transfer due to conflict at his previous school.
Though he didn’t come with the fanfare that a transfer from a school like LSU or USC would’ve, he quickly developed into a much-needed defensive star for Louisville.
In his first ACC season, Clark finished with 36 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 8 pass deflections, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery. The advanced stats were off the charts for Clark as well.
One could make the argument that Clark was deserving of a First-Team nod. Again, the advanced stats are where bigger pictures can be seen and more wide-sweeping conclusions can be made about a players success. For Clark, he finished with a 32.3% forced incompleton, had a 35.5% completion percentage, and gave up 0 completions of 20 yards or more. Which in my opinion, reaches lockdown corner territory.
Compare that to All-First team selections, Asante Samuel (FSU) and Derion Kendrick (Clemson), who both had less tackles and less pass deflections overall. While also trailing Clark in completions allowed over 20+ yards.
If he wasn’t already, being named 2nd-team defense should start to put NFL eyes on Clark.
Dez Fitzpatrick- 2nd team
This is the type of stuff I love to see.
Though he’d likely tell you he was shooting to be named All-First Team in 2020, being recognized as an all-conference player is no small feat. No star player has had to work harder for big success at Louisville than Fitzpatrick.
Though his targets plateaued when Tutu Atwell emerged as a star for the Cardinals, Fitzpatrick was still an absolute stud.
Fitzpatrick finished the season with 43 receptions for 833 yards, which is good for a gaudy 19.4 yards per reception.
There is not a player that fans will miss more on this team more than Fitzpatrick. From his play on his field, to his leadership and attitude off of it, Fitzpatrick will go down as an all-time great.
Tutu Atwell- 2nd team
One of the best players in the ACC, Tutu Atwell leaves Louisville as one of the best pro prospects from the 2020 squad.
Atwell sat out two games due to injury, but he finished the season with 46 receptions for 625 yards and 7 touchdowns.
After a season where he had the most reception yards in a single season in school history, Atwell is heading to the league as a prototypical NFL slot receiver. His 4.3 speed and versatility will be fascinating to watch at the next level.
Jared Goldwire- Honorable mention
After sharing snaps with GG Robinson his first two seasons, Jared Goldwire was heavily relied-upon during his senior campaign.
The 6’6,” 305-pound Junior College product steadily improved during his career at Louisville. The back half of his 2020 season saw Goldwire become one of the more consistent players on the defense.
Goldwire finished the season with 35 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
James Turner- Honorable mention
On the heels of a season where Louisville football lost veteran Blanton Creque, the Cardinals needed a reliable replacement. You could not have found a better option than James Turner. The sophomore finished the season 40-40 on extra points, and 13-15 on field goals.
What is impressive about Turner is that he may be the first Cardinal in two decades to have an NFL leg. I look forward to two more years of Turner booting moon balls through the uprights.
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