Photo by: Carl Schmid | Louisville Athletics
Fitzpatrick Pleased with the Direction of his Senior Season
August 07, 2020 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - When University of Louisville senior wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick decided to come back for his senior season, he didn't think his last year would be so different.
COVID-19 has changed the world, and for him, affected the state of college football.
While some people debate if the game is in a safe state, Fitzpatrick has his own statement for the critics.
"I'm not going to lie to you, I feel safer in the stadium and in this atmosphere than I do in the outside world," Fitzpatrick said. "In the stadium, everyone has their masks on. I feel safer in this environment. I know we don't want to wear masks 24/7, but it's done to protect us. We know what's right or wrong."
The Cardinals are under strict restrictions at practice and in the building, but Fitzpatrick is just happy to be back on the field.
"We understand the situation," Fitzpatrick said. "We know the importance of wearing masks, washing your hands, and not staying in a group for a long period of time. We are smart kids and we know what we need to do."
The senior wide receiver enters his final campaign in the Red and Black with 111 catches for 1,756 yards and 18 touchdowns, but Gunter Brewer – his wide receivers coach --- sees the fifth-year player as much more than a player. He's viewed as a leader.
"He just gives you so much more than just production on the field, "Brewer said. "Around the building, he tries to show the young guys how you are supposed to act the right way and be a professional. The freshmen are finding out about the grind of camp, but he's showing the young guys how to act and be a professional."
"He's matured here and how he's grown over the years. I've love having him here and I hope the young guys watch and listen from him."
While most of the attention will be placed on Fitzpatrick and junior wide receiver Tutu Atwell, who was a first-team All-American, Brewer is pleased with the direction of the entire wide receiver crew.
"It's been really good because we have a lot of competition," Brewer said. "We have a great group. We have some veteran guys and some young guys leading the way. Competition is the best thing you can do to get better."
Brewer has been ecstatic with the younger players so far through the first four days of fall practices, and pointed out his happiness with one of the newest players to the unit – true freshman Jordan Watkins.
"I'm happy to see the young guys in the shape they are in and what they are able to handle with volume," Brewer said. "Jordan Watkins has shown his tenacity and his ability to be athletic and make some plays. Braden Smith has come in and shown an ability to play more than one position. Corey Reed has had a week of practice and that's been good to see."
Fitzpatrick also added a positive review of Watkins' play in only his fourth practice at the Division I level.
"He's very fast. That's one thing that has caught my eye," Fitzpatrick said. "He's very fast and he knows how to stop with this speed. I always tell him, 'you're pretty fast and you know how to control your speed.' It's rare for a fast freshman sometimes – they're so fast that they are out of control and don't know how to stop, but I don't see that with him at all. He's running great routes, breaking down precisely. I'm like, 'ooh, ok Jordan, I like that JW!' So, he's out there doing great."
As a senior at Butler, Watkins caught 37 passes for 712 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing 29 times for 212 yards and three additional scores.
Brewer also praised the development of Justin Marshall, who was mainly a contributor on special teams, but the junior is competing for a larger role in the offense.
"Justin Marshall is a very physical guy and helped us on special teams. I've been very pleased on how he has improved in fall camp. He changed positions and he has transitioned well. He has a lot of team speed and he can run so I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do out there when it's real."
In his final camp as a member of the Cardinals, Fitzpatrick likes the direction his wide receivers are headed before the team puts the pads on for the first time on Saturday morning.
"I think we are doing really well. I feel like we've made great strides in the first four days. I feel the young guys are coming along. I think overall we are doing well and going in the direction that we need to be going in."
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COVID-19 has changed the world, and for him, affected the state of college football.
While some people debate if the game is in a safe state, Fitzpatrick has his own statement for the critics.
"I'm not going to lie to you, I feel safer in the stadium and in this atmosphere than I do in the outside world," Fitzpatrick said. "In the stadium, everyone has their masks on. I feel safer in this environment. I know we don't want to wear masks 24/7, but it's done to protect us. We know what's right or wrong."
The Cardinals are under strict restrictions at practice and in the building, but Fitzpatrick is just happy to be back on the field.
"We understand the situation," Fitzpatrick said. "We know the importance of wearing masks, washing your hands, and not staying in a group for a long period of time. We are smart kids and we know what we need to do."
The senior wide receiver enters his final campaign in the Red and Black with 111 catches for 1,756 yards and 18 touchdowns, but Gunter Brewer – his wide receivers coach --- sees the fifth-year player as much more than a player. He's viewed as a leader.
"He just gives you so much more than just production on the field, "Brewer said. "Around the building, he tries to show the young guys how you are supposed to act the right way and be a professional. The freshmen are finding out about the grind of camp, but he's showing the young guys how to act and be a professional."
"He's matured here and how he's grown over the years. I've love having him here and I hope the young guys watch and listen from him."
While most of the attention will be placed on Fitzpatrick and junior wide receiver Tutu Atwell, who was a first-team All-American, Brewer is pleased with the direction of the entire wide receiver crew.
"It's been really good because we have a lot of competition," Brewer said. "We have a great group. We have some veteran guys and some young guys leading the way. Competition is the best thing you can do to get better."
Brewer has been ecstatic with the younger players so far through the first four days of fall practices, and pointed out his happiness with one of the newest players to the unit – true freshman Jordan Watkins.
"I'm happy to see the young guys in the shape they are in and what they are able to handle with volume," Brewer said. "Jordan Watkins has shown his tenacity and his ability to be athletic and make some plays. Braden Smith has come in and shown an ability to play more than one position. Corey Reed has had a week of practice and that's been good to see."
Fitzpatrick also added a positive review of Watkins' play in only his fourth practice at the Division I level.
"He's very fast. That's one thing that has caught my eye," Fitzpatrick said. "He's very fast and he knows how to stop with this speed. I always tell him, 'you're pretty fast and you know how to control your speed.' It's rare for a fast freshman sometimes – they're so fast that they are out of control and don't know how to stop, but I don't see that with him at all. He's running great routes, breaking down precisely. I'm like, 'ooh, ok Jordan, I like that JW!' So, he's out there doing great."
As a senior at Butler, Watkins caught 37 passes for 712 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing 29 times for 212 yards and three additional scores.
Brewer also praised the development of Justin Marshall, who was mainly a contributor on special teams, but the junior is competing for a larger role in the offense.
"Justin Marshall is a very physical guy and helped us on special teams. I've been very pleased on how he has improved in fall camp. He changed positions and he has transitioned well. He has a lot of team speed and he can run so I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do out there when it's real."
In his final camp as a member of the Cardinals, Fitzpatrick likes the direction his wide receivers are headed before the team puts the pads on for the first time on Saturday morning.
"I think we are doing really well. I feel like we've made great strides in the first four days. I feel the young guys are coming along. I think overall we are doing well and going in the direction that we need to be going in."
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