LOUISVILLE, Ky. – We may be a little more than a week away from the 2022 NFL Draft, but it is never too early to start looking ahead to next year.
While the Louisville football program is coming out of season 6-7, and there have been no select players in this year’s draft iteration, there are a few players who could very well play on their own in the draft.
Here are some of the current cardinals most likely to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft:
Best candidates:
Outdoor Linebacker Yasir Abdullah
Abdullah not only had the best season so far in 2021, but also had one of the best seasons since the Louisville strikers in the last decade. His 17.5 clashes for defeat were good for seventh place in one season in the history of the program, and his 10 strokes were the most since Devonte Fields had 10.5 in 2015. The All-ACC name of the second team, Abdullah is now becoming all better as it grows into its role of louder leader.
Offensive guard Caleb Chandler
While many would say that Malik Cunningham was Louisville’s MVP of the 2021 season, you could argue that Chandler was equally entitled to that title. He was the cornerstone for reviving Louisville’s offensive line, and was named as the only Louisville first team of the All-ACC selection in 2021 and as one of the 101 best players in college football by Pro Football Focus.
Corner Kei’Trel Clark
Had Clark not broken his ACL at NC State towards the end of the season, he might have signed up for this year’s draft instead of returning to Louisville for another year. Since his groundbreaking year last season, the Liberty transfer has been one of the best defensive backs in the ACC. Despite missing three regular-season games and the ball, he still tied for the ACC’s most pass defense with 12 (nine interceptions and three interceptions), and was named the second All-ACC team.
Quarterback Malik Cunningham
Cunningham has managed to recover from last 2020 season and have an amazing penultimate junior red-shirt campaign with the Cardinals. He completed one passing touchdown he missed to join the exclusive 20/20 club, was 14th in FBS per yard per game with 305.5, fourth in quick touchdown with 20 and became the second quarterback in Louisville history to ran for 1000 yards. Were it not for the strong ACC quarterback class and the failed Louisville, he might have gotten more national attention.
Tight End Marshon Ford
While not as dazzling as other offensive weapons that have emerged through Louisville since Scott Satterfield took the lead, Ford has been one of the most consistent on that side of the ball, and one of the ACC’s best return-backs. He was named Third-Team All-ACC selection after leading the Cardinals in receiving yards with 550 yards and has had 15 touchdowns since the 2019 season.
Wide receiver Tyler Hudson
Satterfield and Co. they have done a great job of finding talent through the transfer portal, and Hudson could be their biggest acquisition. He was one of the best players in all of FCS last year, drawing 62 receptions at 1,242 yards and eight touchdowns for Central Arkansas. The number of yards was fourth in the entire FCS, and he was named All-American AP FCS second team.
Other names to watch:
Attack Renato Brown
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Brown has made great strides forward in terms of maturity and development. According to the PFF, he was ranked as the second best starter of the offensive line, behind Chandler, with a score of 73.7.
Defensive End YaYa Diaby
Diaby has been a bit overwhelming over the last two seasons, but there’s reason to believe she’ll break out next year. Although he had only 3.0 attempts to defeat and 1.5 balls, he led the team in a rush of quarterbacks with seven
Security Kenderick Duncan
The now overcrowded safety room could limit its production in 2022, but it showed its potential as a starter in 2021. He was third on the team in 76 clashes, had four interruptions and interceptions and had the best rating of PFF coverage by defensive back at Louisville at 72.6.
Running Back Tiyon Evans
Louisville now has plenty of weapons in its running room, and a transfer from Tennessee could be their biggest. Prior to an ankle injury in late season, Evans led the Wolves in the running yard, finishing the year with 525 and six touchdowns.
Bryan Hudson Offensive Guard / Center
Hudson was the sixth man of the offensive line last season, and after Cole Bentley graduated, he is entering the starting lineup. He can play in several positions on the line, and play them all at a high level.
Monty Montgomery midfielder
When Satterfield arrived in 2019, Montgomery emerged as the X-Factor of defense, and aspired to a breakthrough season in 2021 with his induction into the starting lineup. Unfortunately, an ACL injury in just his third game against UCF postponed him until the end of the year.
Fight in attack Trevor Reid
While other linemen could be better blockers so far, Reid is an underrated figure ahead. Listed at 6-5 and 307 with crazy athleticism for O-lineman, he also has intangible assets that make NFL scouts salivate.
(Photo by Malik Cunningham: Jamie Rhodes – USA TODAY Sports)
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