Ledford Comfortable with Offensive Line Rotations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville has some holes to fill on the offensive after losing first-round draft pick Mekhi Becton and free agent Tyler Haycraft.

Both players can be directly attributed to the team's turnaround and a return to the highly explosive offense UofL fans have come to expect over the years.

Renato Brown is one of those players who will likely fill one of those positions. The redshirt-freshman played both guard and tackle for Louisville at times after playing in four games a year ago.

Offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach, Dwayne Ledford told Brown that if he wanted the position it was his for the taking.

After three weeks of practice, Brown has emerged as the right tackle as the Cardinals work toward the Sept. 12 opener versus Western Kentucky at Cardinal Stadium.

According to Ledford, Brown has been one of the most impressive players on the offense.

"It's just how hard he is going now. It's like he's broken out of his shell and is letting loose and everybody," left guard Caleb Chandler said. "He's working his butt off and its showing."

With 10 starters returning on offense, the starting positions were set, but both the right and left tackle positions were open for the taking, but Brown has stepped in and put a lot of those concerns to bed.

Brown played four games and earned a redshirt season. He played the first four contests, including the season opener versus No. 9 Notre Dame.

"It's what I needed to understand the game and how the speed of the game is different," Brown said. "In high school I went out there and did whatever I wanted. Here I have to pay attention more and control my body to get in the right position to get my blocks."

While Brown was held out of the final nine games, he worked hard in practice to catch the eye of some of his teammates.

"He showed flashes last year. We knew he could be something huge for us but just like most young guys you just have to wait your turn," Chandler said.
"He's getting to show what he can do out there and he's killing."

After Monday's practice, Ledford singled out the emergence of versatile offensive lineman Cam DeGeorge, a graduate transfer from Connecticut.

DeGeorge arrived at Louisville after starting 33 games for the Huskies during his three seasons. As the Cardinals prepare for that first game, Ledford has rotated a few players on the first team, and DeGeorge has found himself as one of those working with the first group.

"Cam has come in, he's been the guy that that I would say is definitely been the guy that I've been rotating in with the ones," Ledford said.

The starting front five consists of Adonis Boone, Caleb Chandler, Cole Bentley, Robbie Bell and Renato Brown, with DeGeorge also earning repetitions.

"He's playing that sixth guy right now," Ledford continued. "He's taking reps at both guard positions, and also both tackle positions. And so he's a guy that we're cross trained a lot out there."

While the starting lineup is somewhat settled, Ledford is still looking for others to add that needed depth, and has liked some of the development of his younger players.

"It's been good out there," Ledford said of the competition on the offensive line. "We are moving guys around up front so we can play the best five, and what combination that might be. Clayton Six has done a good job. We have watched film and he has stepped up and made plays."

"Trevor Reid is still picking it up out there," Ledford said. "He has all the physical tools so the faster he can pick things up, the more comfortable he will be within our offense. I'm, pleased with where we are right now, but we still have to get better over these next three weeks."

University of Louisville Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Mekhi Becton

Robbie Bell

Cole Bentley

Adonis Boone

Renato Brown

Caleb Chandler

Tyler Haycraft

Trevor Reid

Clayton Six

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