Hassan Hall got a taste of being Louisville's lead running back last season.

He started five games and tallied 303 yards on the ground, leading all of the team's running backs with 70 carries.

This season, many expect that number to grow. As Scott Satterfield’s run-heavy offense is being installed at Louisville, Hall is projected to be the one to lead the charge.

The sophomore is the No. 1 running back as the first week of camp nears its end. He understands the responsibility he and the other running backs have in this offense.

"It runs through us,” Hall said. “We have to be on our stuff so we can win games.”

Hall has bulked up to 198 pounds, up from 178 last season.

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Javian Hawkins, Hall's backup, has been impressed by his work ethic.

"He’s a workhorse. I like being behind him because he works hard so I have to work hard,” Hawkins said. “Just as a group, he’s creating that mindset of 'I got to work so ya’ll got to work. We all got to eat.'”

Louisville has seven running backs on its roster, many of which are fighting for playing time. Hall is leading a competitive group.

"He’s talking more. He don’t like to talk. He’s real quiet. Y'all even getting him up here to talk is crazy,” Hawkins told reporters with a laugh.

On the field, Hall’s added weight is something that will prepare him for the extra hits he will take this season as a featured back.

There’s no secret to how he gained nearly 20 pounds since arriving on campus as a freshman.

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“Really, they just had me eating,” Hall said.

Eating in the facility, lifting weights, drinking protein shakes and even snacking at home, it’s all helped Hall bulk up, which in turn allows him to absorb more contact.

Last year, when he got hit, he tended to fall right away. This year, he said that hasn’t been the case.

"I’m keeping my balance. Busting out of tackles and stuff like that,” Hall said.

Has the extra weight affected his speed?

"I feel faster. The weight don’t slow you down. A lot of it is muscle. It’s not fat,” said Hall, who will likely return kicks again after tallying 818 return yards and a touchdown last year.

Hall may be the featured back, but running backs coach Norval McKenzie said the team will have a committee.

Ideally, he would like to have a rotation of two or three per game.

“As much as we want to run the ball, you are going to have multiple guys play,” McKenzie said. “Looking forward to these guys continuing to compete and have three guys going into the first game ready to roll.”

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As of now, Hawkins is filling the second position, but the competition is just heating up.

Maurice Burkley is listed as the No. 3 running back on Louisville's preseason depth chart. Freshmen Jalen Mitchel and Aidan Robbins – who is now healthy after tearing his labrum last fall – have drawn good reviews.

Dae Williams has worked his body into shape and is off to a good start as well, McKenzie said.

"He has to continue to compete with the two guys to my right (Hawkins and Hall), but I’m looking forward to him continuing to do so,” McKenzie said of Williams. “So far he has made improvement since the spring.”

That competition will only benefit the Cardinals going forward, Hall said.

"You can’t mess up because it’s next guy up,” Hall said. “If you mess up, you out, and if they do good, then you have to just come back the next day.”

Whoever does find their way to the field, McKenzie wants them to be complete backs.

"It’s my job to have everybody doing an unbelievable job at all three things,” McKenzie said. “I’m talking about running the ball, pass protection and being a wide receiver. We want to have complete backs.”

And at the moment, though Hall is leading the way, there are a plethora of options fighting for time behind him.

“A lot of guys get the opportunity, but it’s seven of us so when you get your reps you have to take advantage of them,” Hawkins said. “(Hall) is at the No. 1 spot, and he’s leading us well. We are all just working behind him.”

Cameron Teague Robinson CTeagueRob@gannett.com; Twitter: @cj_teague; Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.