The Cardinal Countdown: 60 Days Until Kickoff

#60 Desmond Daniels

Class: Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-5/247

Position: Offensive Line

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Twitter: @100k_zay

Thoughts: The Cards grabbed Daniels last year out of Georgia fighting off Indiana, Syracuse and UAB among others. The big pull for Louisville was TE coach Stu Holt giving Daniels an opportunity to play at tight end as most other schools were looking for Daniels to come in and play defensive end. Well, the staff gave him a shot and unfortunately for Daniels he didn’t get to see the field in 2020. So earlier this year the rumor was that Daniels was making a position change to defensive end offensive line?!? Well, Desmond actually played both sides of the ball in high school, outside at defensive end and outside at tackle, so the move isn’t as crazy as it sounds. While Daniels was pushing to play tight end he was really just learning the position coming into college and it’s a challenge to make that transition. So, Coach Jack Bicknell confirmed in a call mid-February that Daniels was practicing with the line and performing well with the group.

I’d say the most obvious landing spot for Daniels would be at right tackle, likely behind Renato Brown who started all of 2020 in that spot. Desmond could stand to put on a few pounds but his length is incredible for that position, especially when looking to seal the edge for those outside zone runs. I wont act as if a position change is easy but since Desmond is very familiar with the spot the transition should be a little smoother, and I think he can contribute as soon as this year either situationally or on special teams.

Sweet Tweet:

One of the most underrated coaches on the staff (IMO) is Coach Holt. From the time he arrived we’ve seen the emergence of Marshon Ford, Ean Pfeifer, and the recruitment of Vic Mullen and Dez Melton at the tight end position. In addition, Holt is the special teams coach and has done a good job with that group in the kicking game and return game. A great piece of the staff that sometimes goes unnoticed. He’s also teaching kids how to throw a proper “L”....out here doing the Lord’s work.