Louisville football at a glance
HEAD COACH: Troy Davis, third year, 4-15
LAST YEAR: 2-8
POSTSEASON: Division III, Region 9
RETURNING LETTERMEN (18)
Clay Chambers - WR/LB - 5-10 - 160 - sr.
Andrew Corona - WR/DB - 5-7 - 157 - jr.
Daveion Cruse - QB/DB - 5-9 - 146 - sr.
Nate Curry - OL/DL - 6-0 - 252 - sr.
Jacob Davide - OL/LB - 5-9 - 204 - sr.
Trevor Eshler - OL/DL - 5-10 - 255 - sr.
Andrew Essik - RB/LB - 5-7 - 184 - sr.
Zach Ganser - WR/LB - 5-6 - 177 - jr.
Shane Gates - OL/DL - 5-10 - 281 - sr.
Braiden Hershey - WR/DB - 6-0 - 167 - jr.
Brandon Jackson - WR/DB - 5-6 - 128 - sr.
Cayden McKimmie - OL/DL - 6-1 - 241 - sr.
Connor Morley - WR/DB - 5-11 - 174 - sr.
Chase Mueller - WR/DB - 6-0 - 162 - sr.
Will Ramsey - RB/LB - 5-11 - 210 - jr.
Charlie Roberts - QB/DB - 5-9 - 157 - sr.
Jacob Shammo - OL/DL - 5-11 - 238 - sr.
Braylon Taylor - RB/LB - 5-10 - 137 - jr.
IMPACT PLAYERS: Daveion Cruse is a tremendous athlete and Louisville will find ways to put the ball in his hands. He is in the mix to take snaps at quarterback and can play receiver. Cruse also is a good defensive back. He has received offers from Division III schools Ohio Wesleyan and DePauw. ... LB Jacob Davide leads the defense. He is a three-year varsity starter for the Leopards. ... Louisville should be strong along the lines with Cayden McKimmie, Nate Curry, Trevor Eshler and Jacob Shammo returning. This group doesn't have the size of some past Leopards line but they are very skilled. ... Chase Mueller had a strong finish to last season at receiver and will be a top target for Louisville's starting quarterback. ... Will Ramsey will make an impact at linebacker. He also has experience at running back.
WHAT'S NEW: Louisville is excited for the return of Andrew Essik at running back. He was slated to be the starter last year before he suffered a season-ending injury in a scrimmage against Dover. It was the start of a rash of injuries at the position. The Leopards had three running backs injured last year. ... Andrew Corona was another player lost for the season early last year. His return should make the wide receiver corps more dynamic. He also will play a key role in the secondary. ... Charlie Roberts is competing against Cruse for snaps at quarterback. Like Cruse, Roberts also can play receiver. ... Braiden Hershey is another wide receiver and defensive back that got valuable experience due to injuries last season.
OUTLOOK: Louisville was in the conversation for being the area team hardest hit by injuries last year. Six key players suffered season-ending injuries. ... The loss of Essik in particular hurt the development of the offense shortly before last season. His return should bring some balance and stability to that unit. ... The schedule is going to be difficult for Louisville. The Leopards play Canfield, Steubenville, Poland, Northwest, Hoover, Lake, Perry, Green and Notre Dame Cathedral Latin. ... Louisville is solid along the lines and in the secondary. The team has good leadership and a positive outlook under Davis. ... Being an independent has not been kind to Louisville. The Leopards are 16-24 since the Northeastern Buckeye Conference disbanded after the 2017 season.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Louisville Leopards football at a glance
