ACC Football: Top 10 recruits joining the conference in 2020

The Louisville Cardinals had a respectable first season under first-year head coach Scott Satterfield. For their shortcomings — and there were many — Satterfield got the Cardinals to buy in and play hard. They were undermanned on both sides of the ball with only 38 scholarship players in the aftermath of former coach Bobby Petrino’s departure. Some players decided they did not want the change in culture so they left.

Satterfield did find players on offense, however. Micale Cunningham looked to be the answer until he was injured, but backup quarterback Evan Conley played well in Cunningham’s stead.

They found a star in running back Javian Hawkins as well. The players responded well to Satterfield’s offensive system. The offensive line, however, had its share of issues last season. From being one of the most penalized units in the country to ranking toward the bottom in the country in sacks allowed, their line play left a lot to be desired.

For all of their woes on offense, their defense was much worse. The Cardinals surrendered as many points as they scored. Their pass defense was bad, and the Cardinals did not have much of a pass rush ranking 69th in the country in sacks.

It’s going to take a couple more cycles to recruit defensive backs, but defensive end Yaya Diaby can have an instant impact as a true freshman. He already has ideal size at 6-4 and 255 pounds.

Diaby is fast. He has a quick first step and has shown the ability to play both inside and outside. He should have an immediate impact next season.