Projecting Louisville's depth chart after a week of preseason practice

Jake Lourim | Courier Journal

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Ten days after the Louisville football team opened the preseason, we’ve now seen about two hours of practice — 30 minutes of the newcomers the first day, 30 minutes of the veterans, then an hour of light drills inside Cardinal Stadium on Saturday night.

So we have a decent look at how the Cardinals will line up when they kick off against Alabama in less than three weeks.

The team will likely release a full depth chart on the Monday of game week, Aug. 27. Until then, here’s a projection informed by what we’ve seen so far:

Offense

LT

Mekhi Becton, So.

Toryque Bateman, R-Fr.

LG

Lukayus McNeil, 5th-Sr.

Caleb Chandler, R-Fr.

C

Cole Bentley, So.

Robbie Bell, R-So.

RG

Kenny Thomas, Sr.

Ronald Rudd, R-Jr.

RT

Linwood Foy, 5th-Sr.

Adonis Boone, Fr.

Analysis: Ten days into camp, the Cardinals have to feel good about where their offensive line stands with three seniors in the first group and as solid a starting five they’ve had since Bobby Petrino returned. Becton could become a dominant left tackle, and McNeil is a captain alongside him. The coaches have praised Bentley for how he’s adjusted to running the show at center. Two more seniors, Thomas and Foy, hold down the other side.

Depth will be a concern, as only Bell has played significant snaps among the backups. He started every game last season but missed some time in the spring, and Bentley hasn’t relinquished that spot. An injury anywhere else would thrust an unproven player into the spotlight.

Related: What you need to know from Louisville's open workout at Cardinal Stadium

TE

Kemari Averett, So.

Micky Crum, 5th-Sr.

Jordan Davis, R-Jr.

Analysis: No changes here. Averett stands out for his size (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) and his physicality. He appears to have the best combination of blocking and pass catching. Crum should be a consistent option in the passing game.

WR

Jaylen Smith, Sr.

Seth Dawkins, Jr.

WR

Dez Fitzpatrick, R-So.

Corey Reed, So.

WR

Tutu Atwell, Fr.

Marcus Riley, Fr.

Analysis: Louisville is in great shape here, as usual. Assuming Smith recovers well from his appendectomy, he should still be the No. 1 option when the season starts. Fitzpatrick and Dawkins, the second and third receivers last season, are back as well. This projection allows for two wideouts and one slot receiver, but the Cards will play plenty of snaps with Smith, Dawkins and Fitzpatrick all on the field. Atwell and Riley infuse this group with more speed in the slot.

More coverage: Speed in Louisville's freshman class 'ridiculous,' Cardinals say

FB

Tobias Little, R-So.

Vince Lococo, R-So.

Analysis: Little’s role as a ball carrier appears to have dwindled a bit since the spring, as other running backs have healed from injuries, but he’ll still be an important piece.

RB

Trey Smith, R-Jr.

Dae Williams, R-So.

Colin Wilson, R-Fr.

Analysis: Running backs coach Kolby Smith said Trey Smith is the No. 1 back at this point. Williams is another good option when he’s healthy. Wilson can be helpful in short-yardage situations, though Bobby Petrino mentioned again last week that he needs to prove he can go full-speed on every play. He tore his ACL last Sept. 30.

QB

Puma Pass, R-So.

Malik Cunningham, R-Fr.

Jordan Travis, Fr.

Analysis: No change. Pass looks good to begin his first season as the starter. The coaches like Cunningham as a running threat, and he proved as much in the spring game. Travis was impressive in third-team pass skeleton reps Saturday.

From January: Meet Jawon 'Puma' Pass, Lamar Jackson's likely successor

Defense

DE

Jonathan Greenard, R-Jr.

Derek Dorsey, R-So.

DT

Mike Boykin, So.

Henry Famurewa, 5th-Sr.

DT

G.G. Robinson, R-Jr.

Jared Goldwire, So.

DE

Boosie Whitlow, R-Jr.

Jarrett Jackson, Fr.

Analysis: Louisville seems intent on rotating at least eight or nine bodies here, so the order isn’t necessarily important. Defensive line coach L.D. Scott said last week that Greenard’s is the only cemented spot. It’s possible the Cards will start junior-college transfers Boykin and Goldwire over returners Famurewa and Robinson, though we’ll leave Robinson, a part-time starter last season, in his place.

At end, plenty of snaps are up for grabs behind Greenard. Whitlow is another transfer from South Carolina who worked with the first team Saturday. Jackson is a promising freshman.

Meet the line: Louisville football's defense line buffs up to take on Alabama

OLB

C.J. Avery, So.

P.J. Blue, R-So.

MLB

Dorian Etheridge, So.

Robert Hicks, Fr.

OLB

Tabarius Peterson, R-So.

Yasir Abdullah, Fr.

Analysis: Etheridge is the defense’s quarterback from the MIKE linebacker spot. Avery and Blue are still competing for reps at the one outside position, and on the other side, Peterson looks like a good bet to play often. He said last week he’s working mostly at linebacker, though he could play in the front four also. Petrino also mentioned Abdullah, a new name, in the mix with the other linebackers.

Watch: Dorian Etheridge: Louisville's defense has bought in more than last year's

CB

P.J. Mbanasor, R-Jr.

Rodjay Burns, R-So.

CB

Cornelius Sturghill, 5th-Sr.

Marlon Character, So.

Analysis: Mbanasor is the team’s most consistent cornerback and should play every snap. The Oklahoma transfer also appears to be one of the emotional leaders of this defense. As talented as Burns is, Sturghill seems to have an edge at the other cornerback position with his speed, if he can stay healthy. Burns and Character, as well as sophomore Russ Yeast and freshman Chandler Jones, will get plenty of opportunities at nickelback.

S

Dee Smith, Sr.

Khane Pass, R-Jr.

S

TreSean Smith, So.

London Iakopo, 5th-Sr.

Analysis: TreSean Smith has been practicing, so assuming he continues his speedy recovery from a knee injury in last season’s bowl game, he should start Week 1. Dee Smith proved his leadership when his teammates voted him as a captain last week. Pass and Iakopo are two more experienced options and, like the backup cornerbacks, will play often in specialized packages.

More headlines: Loads of names are entering rotation on Louisville football's defense

Special teams

K

Blanton Creque, R-Jr.

Evan O’Hara, R-Jr.

P

Mason King, R-Jr.

Austin Johnson, R-So.

LS

Mitch Hall, So.

Brendan Lowery, R-Jr.

KR/PR

Dez Fitzpatrick, R-So.

Rodjay Burns, R-So.

Analysis: Louisville has all of its specialists back from last season, so Creque, King and Hall appear to have held down their spots. It’s too early to sort out the return men, but Fitzpatrick and Burns look like promising candidates. Marcus Riley, Tutu Atwell, Marlon Character and Josh Johnson were some of the others taking reps Saturday night.

Jake Lourim: 502-582-4168; jlourim@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @jakelourim. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jakel.