The Courier-Journal takes a look at where things stand for Louisville at the midway point of the Cardinals’ spring football, and while the QB debate figures to be the biggest ongoing storyline, it’s the guys the QBs will be throwing to that may be the most significant concern.
From the C-J: "A group approach to make up for the loss of U of L's leading receiver is underway, with UAB transfer Jamari Staples, former Texas A&M wideout Ja'Quay Williams and junior James Quick holding spots atop the depth chart. Quick has found himself a target much more often while working from the slot. And there's depth being built at the other spots as sophomores Javonte Bagley and Alphonso Carter continue to prove themselves."
The “leading receiver” in question is, of course, DeVante Parker, a soon-to-be first-round NFL draft choice and arguably the most dominant pass catcher in college football when he was on the field last season.
Parker missed the first seven games of the year with a broken bone in his foot, but when he returned to the lineup on Oct. 18, he picked up as if he’d never missed a beat. Over the final six games of the year, Parker topped 120 yards five times. Despite working with three different QBs during that stretch, Parker led all Power 5 wideouts in yards per game, was second in yards per catch and third in percentage of receptions gaining a first down.
More importantly, Louisville’s quarterbacks posted an adjusted QBR of 49.7 before he returned from injury (only Wake Forest was worse in the ACC) and 65.8 adjusted QBR after Parker returned (good for seventh in the ACC, a tick better than Jameis Winston and Florida State). The Cards averaged nearly a half-yard more per rush after Parker returned, and averaged nearly a point more per drive.
In other words, the impact Parker had on Louisville’s offense reached well beyond the 43 balls he caught. He changed the dynamic of what the Cardinals could do offensively, opening up the running game and made life easier for his fellow receivers.
Right now, Quick is the only veteran receiver on the roster who was also a part of last year’s offense, and he was far from the most consistent performer on the field for Louisville in 2014. Staples still could develop, but he was hardly an integral part of UAB’s attack last year (nine catches, 190 yards) and while there’s a lot to like about Ja’Quay Williams’ upside, he’s far from a sure thing.
Louisville does have ample size at the position, which could help create some mismatches, but replacing Parker is a nearly impossible task. But regardless of the quarterback, Louisville needs to find enough firepower offensively to look more like the team that finished with Parker than the one that opened the year without him.