Cards Open Spring Practice

Even though the calendar is turning toward the spring seasons at the University of Louisville, football was back on Monday afternoon.

The Cardinals began spring practice with a slew of new coaches and players taking the field for the first of 15 spring practices.

Looking to bounce back from a 6-7 season, the Cardinals have a lot of experience back led by quarterback Malik Cunningham and 10 starters returning from the defensive side of the football. Despite returning 51 letter winners, there are questions and newcomers ready to step in and fill position holes.

"It was fun just to be out here with our guys," head coach Scott Satterfield said. "We have some experience returning. I liked what we have returning in the wide receiver room and some of the new guys we added to that room."

With a depleted group of wide receivers playing in the bowl game last season, it was hard to miss the additions of wide receivers Dee Wiggins and Tyler Hudson, a pair of transfers.
Wiggins, the Miami transfer, has good length, and displayed speed and the ability to catch the ball in his hands. Hudson, an All-American from Central Arkansas, has a large catch radius, showing the ability to go up and get the football.

"I didn't see any mental busts," Satterfield said. "(Hudson) maybe about six or seven balls. Wiggins caught some balls. They picked up as if they had been here for awhile. They both have good sign and good length."

Tyler Harrell, who changed to No. 1. Showed he benefited from a full year of playing time and looked like this might be the year he takes his game to a higher level.

Satterfield also took time to acknowledge the amount of talent bursting out of the running back room after Monday's practice. The Cardinals have four outstanding backs who can play anywhere in the country. Jalen Mitchell is the top returning back after running for 722 yards last season, while Tennessee transfer Tiyon Evans displayed size and speed in his first practice with the Cardinals. He led the Volunteers in rushing last season and gives the Cards another playmaker. Trevion Cooley and Jawar Jordan have big-time playmaking ability out of the backfield.

"They are going to go out and compete every single day," Satterfield said of the running backs. "We will see mentally who can do it, we know physically they can do it. They bring different things to the table. ... Cooley had an extra gear today. Tiyon is a thick back who showed great vision in his runs, (Jordan) had some juice in his legs and Mitchell is a consistent back. It's fun to watch all of those guys."

The Cardinals featured three new coaches in wide receivers coach Lance Taylor, tight ends coach Nic Cardwell and secondary coach Wesley McGriff. Strength and conditioning coach Ben Sowders also made his debut on the field on Monday.

"To be out there for the first day, it was very smooth," Satterfield said of his new coaches. "We have a good bunch of new coaches. It's fun for me to watch and see the guys go to work."

The Cardinals return to practice on Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m.

University of Louisville Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Trevion Cooley

Malik Cunningham

Tiyon Evans

Tyler Harrell

Tyler Hudson

Jalen Mitchell

Dee Wiggins

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