The Cardinal Countdown: 56 Days Until Kickoff

#56 Renato Brown

Class: RS Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-4/309

Position: Offensive Line

Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL

Twitter: @Renato_59

Thoughts: Imagine, as a coach, having a young man come into your program, have nearly three years under his belt in terms of experience and exposure to a Division-I program, and still be listed as a freshman in terms of eligibility…..clean up on Aisle 5, if you know what I’m saying, but that’s the exact scenario with Renato Brown. Brown played in less than four games in 2019 to maintain his redshirt and then got the opportunity to start nine games last year while playing in all eleven, but the free season means in 2021 he’s still a freshman. Has a third year guy ever been put on the All-Freshman team?

Brown played well last year as an underclassmen put into a starting role at right tackle. A Top 100 player who had originally committed to Miami he has already started to make his mark up front and his production on that right side helped the Cards put up some solid numbers in the run game last year. While the overall record wasn’t satisfying playing in 11 games last year, ten of them against ACC competition, is impossible to put a value on for a young lineman. The move to shift Adonis Boone over to right guard also means that side of the line (Boone/Brown, aka “The B Hive”) will be tossing 6-5/317 and 6-4/309 into the face of the rushing end or linebacker off the edge. That’s a lot of weight to push around, and I think the backs will fall in love with running to that side of the field.

Brown got some praise from new OL Coach Bicknell and I think we’ve seen some of his potential early in his time here at Louisville. While we don’t see the heavy rotations on offense as often as we do on defense the Cards seemed to hit a wall at times in seasons past due to depth and that is something they have been working on. Brown is one of likely 8-9 guys who will contribute a decent amount, and if you’ve got nearly a full two-deep in active rotations that only helps in terms of energy and avoiding injury. I’ve said it a few times the last couple weeks when covering the offensive line but I really believe this will be one of the best, and deepest, groups on the team in 2021.

Sweet Tweet:

I think Brown was a Sophomore in high school at the time of this tweet. It’s great to see the hospitable mindset even at an early age from these guys as it can show some solid character traits that translate well into being coached and having a positive outlook on life. Nice work, RB.