Louisville football releases first 2017 depth chart

The biggest takeaway here? “Puma” isn’t just a nickname anymore.

OFFENSE

LT

74 Geron Christian 6-5, 315, Jr.

73 Mekhi Becton, 6-7, 340, Fr.

71 Toryque Bateman, 6-6, 311, Fr.

LG

66 Cole Bentley, 6-3, 316, Fr.

77 Linwood Foy, 6-4, 306, Jr.

61 Caleb Chandler, 6-4, 290, Fr.

C

75 Robbie Bell, 6-5, 305, R-Fr.

63 Nate Scheler, 6-1, 295, So.

RG

79 Kenny Thomas, 6-6, 322, Jr.

65 Ronald Rudd, 6-5, 331, Jr.

RT

72 Lukayus McNeil, 6-6, 319, Jr.

68 Danny Burns, 6-6, 325, Jr.

70 Toriano Roundtree, 6-7, 319, Sr.

TE

80 Charles Standberry, 6-3, 241, Sr.

83 Micky Crum, 6-4, 248, Jr.

85 Jordan Davis, 6-4, 255, So.

WR

5 Seth Dawkins, 6-3, 214, So.

86 Devante Peete, 6-6, 207, Jr.

Corey Reed, 6-3, 196, Fr.

WR

9 Jaylen Smith, 6-4, 220, Jr.

87 Dez Fitzpatrick, 6-2, 208, R-Fr.

88 Javonte Bagley, 6-3, 203, Sr.

WR

1 Traveon Samuel, 5-7, 170, Jr.

81 Emonee Spence, 6-3, 192, So.

82 Keion Wakefield, 5-10, 181, R-Fr.

RB

7 Reggie Bonnafon, 6-3, 212, Sr.

34 Jeremy Smith, 6-2, 227, Sr.

29 Malik Williams, 6-1, 221, Sr.

QB

8 Lamar Jackson, 6-3, 207, Jr.

4 Puma Pass, 6-4, 227, R-Fr.

3 Malik Cunningham, 6-1, 171, R-Fr.

DEFENSE

DT

14 Drew Bailey, 6-3, 294, Sr.

44 Chris Williams, 6-1, 292, Sr.

62 Derek Dorsey, 6-3, 290, R-Fr.

59 Caleb Tillman, 6-3, 280, R-Fr.

DT

90 De'Asian Richardson, 6-3, 326, Sr.

94 G.G. Robinson, 6-4, 305, Jr.

96 Henry Famurewa, 6-2, 290, Jr.

DE

91 Trevon Young, 6-4, 254, Sr.

58 Jon Greenard, 6-4, 257, So.

92 Malik Clark, 6-2, 252, Fr.

DE

99 James Hearns, 6-3, 248, Sr.

98 Tabarious Peterson, 6-3, 251, R-Fr.

OLB

21 London Iakopo, 6-0, 223, Jr.

31 Malik Staples, 6-1, 224, So.

43 Damien Smith, 6-1, 234, Jr.

MLB

32 Stacy Thomas, 6-1, 242, Sr.

42 Isaac Stewart, 6-2, 247, Jr.

53 Amonte Caban, 6-1, 254, So.

OLB

30 Khane Pass, 6-1, 211, So.

9 C.J. Avery 5-11, 205, Fr.

35 Lamarques Thomas, 6-0, 176, So.

CB

10 Jaire Alexander, 5-11, 192, Jr.

20 Ronald Walker, 6-1, 196, Sr.

S

22 Chucky Williams, 6-2, 216, Sr.

11 Dee Smith, 6-1, 204, Jr.

S

24 Zykiesis Cannon, 6-0, 185, Sr.

23 Lyn Strange, 6-1, 190, Fr.

4 TreSean Smith, 6-1, 198, Fr.

CB

3 Cornelius Sturghill, 5-11, 187, So.

15 Trumaine Washington, 5-10, 181, Sr.

6 Russ Yeast, 5-11, 181, Fr.

SPECIAL TEAMS

LS

52 Mitch Hall, 6-1, 203, Fr.

41 Ryan Betlach, 5-10, 190, Jr.

P

28 Mason King, 6-3, 211, So.

47 Austin Johnson, 6-2, 202, R-Fr.

K

45 Blanton Creque, 5-11, 186, So.

36 Evan O'Hara, 6-0, 208, Jr.

H

28 Mason King, 6-3, 211, So.

PR

10 Jaire Alexander, 5-11, 192, Jr.

6 Russ Yeast, 5-11, 181, Fr.

KR

29 Malik Williams, 6-1, 221, Sr.

3 Cornelius Sturghill, 5-11, 187, So.

Additional Thoughts:

—Reggie Bonnafon being listed straight up as the team’s starting running back is a bit of a stunner considering he’s never played the position full-time. You assumed the spot would be Jeremy Smith’s to lose, and that the initial depth chart would likely include at least one “OR” to separate the primary candidates. Because of all the injuries at the spot in the spring, this will still be the biggest position battle to follow during the first days of practice next month.

—Cole Bentley being a true freshman listed as a starter on the offensive line before the first day of his first fall camp is both exciting and terrifying. Here’s hoping he’s able to live up to the hype.

—Great to see Trevon Young back on top of a depth chart spot.

—When last we saw Khane Pass, he was looking iffy at safety after injuries forced him into the game against Kentucky. Now he’s starting at outside linebacker.

—A bit surprised to see Amonte Caban listed third. Still think he has the potential to be a fantastic linebacker.

—Trumaine Washington being listed second after spending the entirety of his junior year as a starter at cornerback definitely jumps out. That said, it’s worth remembering that Cornelius Sturghill was a player everyone was really excited about heading into last season before he got shot in the foot while visiting his hometown of Memphis. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash on the team and Petrino had openly discussed the fact that he needed to find ways to get Sturghill on the field.

—A lot of freshmen on that defense are going to get an opportunity to earn some significant playing time right off the bat.

—Malik Cunningham is listed as a redshirt freshman, but I think that’s an oversight due to the fact that he’s expected to redshirt this season.

—God it feels good to be talking (legitimate) football again.