It’s an thrilling time to be a Louisville Cardinals fan as Malik Cunningham returns to interrupt much more information probably this fall. Cunningham is without doubt one of the college football‘s high quarterbacks, however who else returns with him to Louisville? Some severe expertise surrounds him on the defensive facet of the ball and a possible all-star offensive line.
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Prime 10 returning gamers at Louisville
We’re counting down all the highest 10 gamers returning to motion on each workforce — we’ll take care of transfers later — from Air Pressure to Wyoming, from Miami to Hawaii, and all in between. Listed below are the highest returning gamers to Louisville.
10) Jalen Mitchell, RB
The checklist of high 10 returning gamers at Louisville begins with Cunningham’s backfield mate, Jalen Mitchell. A sound rusher in his personal regard, Mitchell rushed for 722 yards and 5 scores on the bottom final 12 months. Mitchell will pair with Tennessee switch Tiyon Evans to provide the Playing cards a proficient working again duo to lighten the load on Cunningham’s legs this fall.
9) Trevor Reid, OT
Maintaining Cunningham clear within the pocket will probably be some extent of emphasis for Louisville in 2022. Trevor Reid is a strong move protector on the left facet, and he must be counted on to take action. Reid is a superb lateral mover and has loads of power on the level of contact to not lose his place. However he’s at his greatest when he’s shifting within the working recreation, utilizing his athleticism to get out in entrance of his rushers, who, as a rule, was Cunningham himself.
8) Chandler Jones, CB
Making his impression with seven move breakups and a number of pressured incompletions, Chandler Jones returns to type one of many ACC’s high cornerback duos. Jones has locked down one facet for the Playing cards because the 2018 season, steadily enhancing over his profession. He’s one of the crucial skilled secondary gamers returning to school soccer and a reliable one at that.
7) Caleb Chandler, G
Caleb Chandler is without doubt one of the nation’s high guard prospects for the subsequent stage and definitely top-of-the-line inside linemen returning to school soccer. Chandler is terrific in each aspects on offense, shifting effectively in area or on the within of this Louisville offense. Head coach Scott Satterfield’s dashing assault requires his linemen to maneuver, and that’s the secret for Chandler because the 6’4″, 300-pounder is surprisingly mild on his ft.
6) Marshon Ford, TE
One of the vital dominant tight finish performances that nobody talked about final season belonged to Marshon Ford. Maybe as a result of he solely led the workforce with 550 receiving yards, or perhaps as a result of he was a dominant run blocker on the skin, the nationwide consideration did not shine on his efforts. When referred to as upon, Ford is a superb blocker who additionally simply so occurs to excel within the pass-catching realm as effectively.
5) Kenderick Duncan, S
Taking to his switch very effectively, Kenderick Duncan’s first season at Louisville was a terrific success. With some apprehensive a few step up in competitors slowing him down, Duncan proved his value on a weekly foundation. Duncan completed with an interception and 4 move breakups, however his capability to stay with receivers in protection or primarily run the alley like a linebacker made everybody take discover.
4) YaYa Diaby, EDGE
Offering a activate the sting, YaYa Diaby was a menace to offenses final 12 months. Diaby completed with only a handful of “significant” numbers on the stat sheet, however his impression was felt as a rule. He routinely crashed the pocket along with his capability to bend across the edge or just push his tackles again into the quarterback. He returns as one of many high edge rushers for 2022.
3) Yasir Abdullah, LB
It was an amazing season for Yasir Abdullah in 2021. Not solely did he report a whopping 10 sacks, however he additionally completed with a team-best 16.5 whole tackles for loss. He was a relentless presence within the backfield for the Playing cards and wreaked havoc in additional than simply the pass-rushing facet of protection. Abdullah had three move breakups and infrequently missed tackles, if in any respect, within the open subject. He’s a dominant three-down linebacker who excels when he will get to hurry the passer.
2) Kei’Trel Clark, CB
Main the workforce with three interceptions regardless of taking part in in simply eight video games, Kei’Trel Clark toyed with leaving early for the NFL. As an alternative, he’s again to as soon as once more put his wonderful protection expertise on show this fall. Clark has nice size regardless of his 5’10” body, as he’s carried out nothing however enhance since transferring from Liberty again in 2019. Clark is speedy and sticks with the receiver’s hip pockets by way of each stage.
1) Malik Cunningham, QB
There isn’t way more to say about Malik Cunningham at this level. No. 5 on our quarterback rankings, Cunningham is without doubt one of the nation’s elite starters. He’s a dynamic dual-threat, maybe one of the best within the nation, however he’s been tasked with extra pocket passing in 2022. A great factor for Louisville followers is the truth that Cunningham confirmed great development in such a process final season and will mild up scoreboards along with his arm and legs this 12 months.
Honorable point out gamers returning to Louisville in 2022
- Dorian Jones, LB
- Renato Brown, OT
- Adonis Boone, G
- Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, WR
- Braden Smith, WR
- Ashton Gillotte, EDGE
