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Louisville Football: 5 position battles to watch during 2017 spring game

By Jerran Anderson

Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) huddle up against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) huddle up against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Jeremy Smith (34) runs the ball against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the first quarter at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Jeremy Smith (34) runs the ball against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the first quarter at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Running Backs

As the Louisville Cardinals look to become a team with a more traditional running game, their search for a reliable running back will be something to watch this spring. With
the departure of Brandon Radcliff, it leaves the Cardinals thin in the experience department for 2017.

Lamar Jackson ran for 1,571 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2016, they’ll need a running back that can duplicate those numbers next season. Redshirt junior Jeremy Smith returns after carrying the ball 57 times for 382 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in 2016. But other than Smith, there’s not a player with more than 20 carries on the roster from last season.

Reggie Bonnafon and Trey Smith are a couple of running backs said to be getting carries out of the backfield in spring camp as well. Another running back who is turning heads in spring camp is Dae Williams. Williams didn’t play in 2016 but with a 6-foot-2 and 235-pound frame, he’s emerged as one player likely to carry the load for the Louisville backfield next season.

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