Louisville football is back.
The Cardinals are preparing to begin spring practice in less than one week on Feb. 28. To prepare you for spring practices, we're going to take some time to breakdown the roster and answer some of the biggest questions.
On Monday, we took a look at the offense. On Tuesday, we broke down the defense, and Wednesdaywe tackled the kicking battle. Today, we look at my five biggest questions going into the spring.
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Who emerges in deep running back room?
Louisville's running back group is deeper than its ever been under Scott Satterfield. With Jalen Mitchell, Tiyon Evans, Trevion Cooley and Jawhar Jordan all fighting for time, the Cardinals are loaded.
But now coach De'Rail Sims is tasked with figuring out how Louisville will split the carries between the four of them. Competition is good and it will keep the four of them locked in for every rep, but in the transfer portal era it could lead to somebody leaving at the end of the spring.
The good thing for Louisville is that it's known to rotate backs. Since the departure of Javian Hawkins, the Cardinals have used two or three running backs in a game and then just leaned towards the hot hand, expect that going forward until one back emerges.
Heading into spring I give the lead to Cooley and Jordan as the top two at the moment because of their explosive ability. Still, I expect Evans to soar up the list once he gets on the field and Mitchell's consistency is going to keep him in the conversation, as well.
How does U of L utilize backup QBs in spring?
This is an important spring for Louisville at the quarterback position. Malik Cunningham is the starter and should be as he returns as a top-3 quarterback in the ACC. But with this being Cunningham's last year of eligibility, it's time for Louisville to find a suitable backup.
Evan Conley has been the guy for years, but he's going to miss the entire spring after having surgery. That leaves Brock Domann and freshman Khalib Johnson. Johnson, a freshman, should get reps with Domann and I would think Louisville would give each of them as many reps as possible.
Louisville has to give Cunningham time in the spring because he still has room to grow, but Domann and Johnson will need as much exposure as possible to battle for backup. The backup this season will likely get a head start for the starting position the following year even as the Cardinals bring in 2023 quarterback Pierce Clarkson.
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With revamped secondary, who steps in before other transfers?
Louisville's secondary has been the storyline of the offseason with departures and transfers. Now, the Cardinals enter a spring practice without Kei'Trel Clark, who is likely still out with his season-ending injury, and the transfers they've added not coming until the summer. Jayden Williams, USC transfer corner, and Jalen Alexander, Duke transfer safety, are expected on campus in May.
Still, there's talent in the secondary, it just depends who steps up. Trey Franklin and Chandler Jones will likely get the top corner reps but Rance Conner and Derrick Edwards will likely get time too. At safety Kenderick Duncan Jr., is a potential All-ACC player and transfer MJ Griffin is already on campus along with Josh Minkins.
Does U of L play Ben Perry at safety or move him to the CARD outside linebacker spot this spring? He's capable of playing both and I think Louisville could use the depth at CARD. If so, then safety is a small group, adding in Shaverick Williams, until the transfers arrive.
This will be a good time for the younger players to step in and make an impact at both positions.
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Who takes starting kicking position?
It's not a "sexy" position battle, but deciding between James Turner and Brock Travelstead will be an important one this offseason.
Turner was terrific in the 2020 season, but struggled on the back end of the 2021 season. It seemed he never got his confidence back after the loss to Virginia and it ended what was a promising start to a bright career.
If he can get his confidence back I think he has the talent to be the Cardinals' kicker for a long time, but I expect Louisville will give Travelstead a chance to earn the job this offseason as well. Travelstead came in and kicked four extra points in the bowl game after Louisville turned to him with Turner missing his first field goal attempt.
There's a legitimate battle at kicker this offseason and who wins it could be the difference in close games next year.
Which newcomer steals the show?
Every spring there's at least one newcomer that impresses the coaches and steals a starting spot.
Last year it was Ashton Gillotte and he lived up to the hype during the season. The year before it was Braden Smith and Kei'Trel Clark and in the first season for Satterfield it was Monty Montgomery.
Who will it be this time? My vote is with one of the transfers, maybe wide receiver Tyler Hudson, running back Tiyon Evans, linebacker Momo Sonago or a few others.
I'm going to go withHudson, the FCS transfer from Central Arkansas. Louisville needed to add talent at wide receiver and did it with this dynamic player. My runner-upchoice, kind of an under-the-radar pick, is Griffin, the safety transfer from Temple. He has elite speed and there's a lot of ways Louisville can utilize him on the back end.
Cameron Teague RobinsonCTeagueRob@gannett.com;Twitter: @cj_teague;
