Offense
Notable Losses: Despite the overall experience level of the offense, Jackson will be working with a number of new faces in 2017.
Jackson’s top three targets in Quick, Staples and tight end Cole Hikunti, who combined for over 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns, are all gone. Running back Brandon Radcliff also graduated following a quietly solid campaign, while the offensive line will undergo some needed shuffling with longtime center Tobijah Hughley and guards Kiola Mahoni and Khalil Hunter moving on.
This is still a talented and ultra-athletic unit that could match last season’s production if the new wide receivers can develop a rapport with Jackson.
QB – Lamar Jackson, junior
There will be no questions about the Cardinals’ depth chart at quarterback, as Jackson will enter 2017 with a shot at a second Heisman as one of the most dynamic playmakers in recent memory.
Jackson turned his raw tremendous athletic ability into success as a sophomore with 3,543 passing yards, 1,571 yards on the ground on 260 attempts, and 51 total touchdowns to nine interceptions. Poor showings in Louisville’s trio of losses to end the season somewhat dampened the Heisman campaign, although Jackson didn’t have much of a chance with the offensive line in shambles.
Senior backup Kyle Bolin transferred to Rutgers in January, so four-star redshirt freshman Jawon Pass would likely be next in line should Jackson get injured.
RB – Jeremy Smith, senior
RB- Trey Smith, redshirt sophomore
Radcliffe was a productive enough running back with 138 attempts for 903 yards a year ago, but the Cardinals should still be in decent shape at the position.
Jeremy Smith was an effective member of the rotation last season with 57 carries for 382 yards and eight touchdowns, although he did reel off an 80-yard run against Duke. Trey Smith, who had just 11 carries a year ago, is set to see his role expand with previous backup L.J. Scott off to Eastern Kentucky.
As Jeremy Smith suffered a broken foot in the spring, explosive senior Malik Williams received some playing time and should get a handful of carries in the regular season.
WR – Jaylen Smith, junior
WR – Reggie Bonnafon, senior
This group is in about as good of shape as possible considering the loss of Staples and Quick, but Jackson will need to develop some quick chemistry with his new targets.
Smith has the most upside of the group after reeling in 27 catches for 599 yards and six touchdowns last year, giving Jackson another strong big play threat. Bonnafon is atop the wide receiver depth chart for now and was effective in the red zone with five touchdowns on just 18 receptions in 2016, although the Cardinals will design a few plays for him out of the backfield.
Junior Trevon Samuel has some experience and will feature prominently in the rotation, with highly touted redshirt freshmen Desmond Fitzpatrick and Keion Wakefield set to debut in 2017.
TE – Micky Crum, redshirt junior
Losing a target like Hitunki is tough enough, but Louisville will also be without top blocking tight end Keith Towbridge due to graduation, leaving a thin depth chart at the position.
At the very least, Crum has some experience after appearing in six games in 2015 and reeling in six catches for 116 yards. Crum has a well-rounded skill set between blocking and catching, so he figures to get the most playing time of the group.
Texas A&M transfer Jordan Davis has some upside and will likely serve as Crum’s primary backup, while three-star recruit Kemari Averett could also be in the mix.
LT – Geron Christian, junior
LG – Lukayus McNeil, redshirt junior
C – Nathan Scheler, junior
RG – Linwood Foy, redshirt junior
RT – Toriano Roundtree, redshirt junior
The offensive line is by far the biggest question mark for Louisville after surrendering a whopping 47 sacks in 2016, and Summers will likely have to do some shuffling over the course of the season.
Christian appears firmly entrenched at left tackle, but the other four positions could change hands throughout the fall. With both starting guards gone, McNeil is expected to slide over from right tackle alongside Christian, while Roundtree and Foy were used interchangeably throughout the spring.
Center could be the biggest position battle on the offense, as Scheler will try to hold off four-star redshirt freshman for the starting gig. Junior Kenny Thomas can play both guard and tackle, so at least there is some versatility for Summers to work with.
All-purpose: Seth Dawkins, sophomore
Look for Dawkins to feature prominently in Louisville’s offense as a big-play threat wide receiver who could line up all over the field.
A former four-star recruit, Dawkins was the only true freshman to receive playing time for the Cardinals in 2016 and reeled in 11 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown. Dawkins figures to get a bigger role this year with a thinner depth chart, and he starred in Louisville’s spring game thanks to his ability to run after the catch.
Bobby Petrino is one of the best coaches in the nation at designing schemes to get players like Dawkins involved, and he could create a number of tough matchups for opposing defenses.