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Louisville Football: 3 upperclassmen who need to step up in 2022

By Dante Pryor

Nov 14, 2020; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Scott Satterfield (M) leads his team onto the field prior to their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Scott Satterfield (M) leads his team onto the field prior to their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Running back, Tiyon Evans catches a pass during U of L’s first spring football practice of 2022 on Monday afternoon. Feb 28, 2022
Running back, Tiyon Evans catches a pass during U of L’s first spring football practice of 2022 on Monday afternoon. Feb 28, 2022 /

2. Tiyon Evans, RB

The loss of Tyler Harrell is a big deal. Scott Satterfield’s offense is built on speed and space; Harrell was the most explosive offensive skill player for Louisville last season. Though Harrell had only 18 receptions, he averaged nearly 30 yards per reception and led the Cardinals in touchdown catches last season with six.

The Cardinals brought in three transfers to bring some speed to the skill positions. Dee Wiggins transferred from Miami, Tyler Hudson from Central Arkansas, and Tiyon Evans transferred from Tennessee. Wiggins and Hudson add proven production and explosion on the perimeter, but Evans could be a key pickup for the Cards.

Quarterback Malik Cunningham led the Cardinals in rushing and rushing touchdowns last season. Running back Jalen Mitchell is reliable but not explosive. Evans is an excellent foil to Mitchell. While Mitchell is more of a hammer at 220 pounds, Evans is shifty at about 210.

Evans, who averaged nearly 7.0 yards per rush attempt last season, forces the defense to respect the runner at the mesh point on RPO plays and the pitch on zone reads. With a runner like Evans in the backfield, Cunningham has someone who commands attention in the backfield to take pressure off of him as a runner.

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