Too often overlooked in the outlook for the University of Louisville football team is that the three top running backs from last season are recovering from injuries that cost them significant playing time last season.
Given this particular group’s susceptibility to injury, there could be cause for concern were it not for the addition of Michael Dyer to the running corps.
- Dominique Brown was slow to recover from an ACL injury during 2011, was redshirted and missed the entire 2012 season.
- Senorise Perry, while looking good in early practices, is coming back from an ACL injury incurred against Syracuse that left him unavailable for the final three outings, including the Sugar Bowl game against Florida.
Corvin Lamb
- Corvin Lamb was suffering from a variety of injuries during the season, was pulled for a ham string injury in the last game against Rutgers and was used sparingly in the bowl game.
Dyer changes everything. Based on a couple of practices, he appears to be ready to go, ready to build on a career that already includes two 1,000-yard seasons and a most outstanding player award in a national championship game.
Outward appearances indicate that he maintained his conditioning during an off season. If he is ready to go, the coaches will have more time to work Perry back into the rotation. But a year off is a year off, and no one no one will know for sure until he proves he’s the same guy.
The addition of Brandon Radcliff, a redshirt freshman from Miami who was impressive during the spring game, also provides additional punch and depth. He may get a chance early to show what he can do.
Lots of proven potential in the UofL backfield, but any objective observer would have to admit there are some nagging concerns as well.