The Louisville Cardinals lost a lot of play making ability from this past season at the wide receiver position, including James Quick, Cole Hikutini, and Jamari Staples, all of which recorded over 600 or more receiving yards last season.
New names are now stepping up to the plate, with the leadership role now being looked upon junior Jaylen Smith.
Smith, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver returns as the “headliner” for this group of wide receivers and will be looked at being the big-threat ability for Lamar Jackson and company. He displayed it last year, averaging 22.2 yards per catch.
“He's just been building on what he has accomplished so far,” Jeremy Wahman from Cardinal Sports Zone said. “That's what you want. Someone to get better every year. He fits that description. He has been working out the hardest & showing the most improvement. Becoming more dependable as well.”
Seth Dawkins and Traveon Samuel received the early nod as well to get the first reps with the offense, as both did gain valuable experience last season with Jackson, recording 29 receptions, 421 yards, and two touchdowns combined.
Wahman believes that Dawkins could be a name to remember this year, as the sophomore was behind some incredible talent last year as a freshman. However, coming into this season, he could be the real deal.
“Remember the name Seth Dawkins. He showed flashes last year but he was behind some studs, this year he IS the stud.”
Samuel, Smith, and Dawkins lead a group of receivers heading into the season but there is still depth behind them as well. That is key as the Cardinals like to spread the ball around. In 2016, Louisville had eight different receivers with 10 or more receptions and four with 25 or more. So depth is key for this offense to continue what they were able to do last year.
Players like junior Devante Peete, freshman Dez Fitzpatrick, and sophomore Emonee Spence will all have their chances as well in this offense and make early contributions.
Overall though, Wahman has seen this group of receivers put in the work this offseason. With so many new names, the Cardinals don’t return a ton of hype around their outside playmakers, but they could be “scary good” by the end of the year.
“The wide receivers has been working hard the entire summer so far,” Wahman said. “Not just with the team but when they are at home. They are crisper, quicker and look like they have developed an edge. They are at the cusp of greatness but right now, I would describe them as scary good.”
