Fitzpatrick Hoping to be Able to Take the Field With His Youngest Brother

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick announced that he was coming back for his senior season last January. The Michigan native felt his team had a chance to improve on last season's success, but he also had an added motivation – to play football with his younger brother Christian.

"I was definitely looking forward to the opportunity to play with him this season," Dez Fitzpatrick said. "It will be the first time we will have the opportunity to play together in our football careers so it's very exciting for me and my family that we are able to compete with each other this year."

However, those plans could be on hold. No one knows if the two brothers we get that opportunity with the COVID-19 pandemic running through the world, putting everything on hold, including the 2020 football season. The Cardinals are scheduled to open the season on Sept. 3 at home versus NC State, but while health officials continue to debate opening up the country, Fitzpatrick is at home in Michigan trying to remain optimistic.

"We are all preparing like there will be college football this season," Dez Fitzpatrick said. "Everyone in the world wants the season to happen. We are preparing for it to happen and don't have any doubt. However, we don't know when it will end. We are just preparing like we will be playing in September. We need enough time to feel like nothing has happened. We need a few practices under our belt to feel comfortable again to start the season."

While at home, Dez has had the opportunity to work out with his brother to get ready for the upcoming season. Usually the two would be in UofL's weight room under the supervision of coaches and trainers, but the tandem have only each to rely on for motivation.

"It's a change with the COVID-19 virus going around," Dez Fitzpatrick said. "It's obviously a change. Our training staff and strength staff do a great job of sending us daily workouts. Each day we get a sheet to work on each day. I feel like we are holding each other accountable and are just trying to sharpen our skills."

Dez is hoping his final season at Louisville will be with Christian, former a Pylon All-American who finished his senior season with 33 receptions for 611 yards and 10 touchdowns, while averaging 18.5 yards per catch. It would be a great ending to a solid career for the elder Fitzpatrick, who has 106 receptions for 1,765 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career.

"It's pretty crazy because we haven't played football together and the first time we will play together will be in college," Dez said. "It's pretty special to have that opportunity, and for him to be able to be comfortable with someone he trusts is pretty special. During these tough times, it's good for him to have someone that can show him the ropes. It's beneficial for both of us."

While the team is separated all over the country, the two brothers are trying to hold themselves accountable to make sure their bodies are ready when the call comes to return to campus.

"My brother and I are pushing ourselves each and every day," Dez Fitzpatrick said. "We are trying to replicate that the most – the competition that we have in the weight room. We are competing against each other and pushing each other so we can be in the best shape possible when we return to campus."

Christian, one of the team's 15 early enrollees, had the opportunity to go through the spring with the coaching staff, which is something that will help him as he prepares to back up his brother at one of the wide receiver positions this season.

"He was a quick learner with the offense," Fitzpatrick said. "When you know what to do, you can play a lot more comfortable, and that is what he did the best. It took me just a second to learn, a lot faster than I did. He is a quick learner and learned fast. He was good at asking me questions. He's playing behind me, so he has an opportunity to learn from his big brother."

The Fitzpatricks also have the opportunity to learn from one of the best receiver coaches in the game in Gunter Brewer, who is longtime college assistant, but also served time with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Coach Gunter Brewer helps me and Christian a lot," Dez Fitzpatrick said. "He understands me. He always tries to help me get up on time and holds me accountable. He makes sure I get breakfast in me and that I'm working out. I feel like when we get back this team will get back rolling again."

The Cardinals were able to garner seven spring practices before the virus sent everyone home. Fitzpatrick thinks that will be beneficial for the Cardinals as the try to build off last year's 8-5 season, which ended with a huge win in the Music City Bowl over Mississippi State.

"The difference from last spring to this spring is night and day," Fitzpatrick said. "We are more comfortable with the offense and the concepts, and it certainly translated onto the practice field. It was great to be able to get on the field during the spring, and hopefully it will be helpful whenever we are able to get the season started."

Dez is extremely hopeful its soon, so he finally gets that opportunity to take the field with his younger brother.

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Fitzpatrick Hoping to be Able to Take the Field With His Youngest Brother

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