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We're counting down Louisville football's most important players. Here's No. 3 - Courier Journal

While there is still uncertainty surrounding when the 2020 football season will begin due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are going on as planned until an announcement is made otherwise. On Wednesday, the ACC announced a new scheduling format, a 10-plus-1 that would allow ACC teams to play 10 conference games and one non-conference game.

There was already lot of hype surrounding the Cardinals this year, entering Scott Satterfield's second season as head coach, but there's more now after the new schedule. Many consider Louisville a contender for the ACC Championship Game. 

The offense, which scored 33.1 points per game last year, second in the ACC, returns all but three starters. The defense struggled last season with consistency but returns much of its starting lineup. 

Louisville is looking to ride that experience to another strong year after finishing 8-5 last season with a win in the Music City Bowl. 

Over 30 days, The Courier Journal's Louisville football beat writer Cameron Teague Robinson and multimedia sports reporter Dominique Yates are counting down their 30 most important Louisville players for the 2020 season. 

This is a ranking of the most important players, which may not always line up with the 30 best players.

More: ACC will play football, but conference announces changes to season schedule

Cameron: Running back Javian Hawkins

Hawkins returns for his redshirt sophomore year as one of the best running backs in the ACC. That should tell you just how important he is to Louisville's success. 

He is coming off rushing for 1,525 yards and nine touchdowns, earning him All-ACC second-team honors. He mixes his 5-foot-9, 196-pound frame with his explosiveness and the ability to make people miss. But he also has an mindset that shows his willingness to run defenders over.

Being a running back in Scott Satterfield's offense is going to get him a lot of carries, though. That's why he's so high on my list. The impact he has on the game isn't matched by many others. Satterfield has always had success running the ball, but the ceiling for the offense grows even more with Hawkins in the backfield. 

He caught the country by surprise last season, but that won't be the case this year. There's a reason to feel confident that he won't be a one-hit wonder as more teams get film on him. Like Atwell, Hawkins had some of his best games at the end of the year. He ran for more than 100 yards in each of the last three games, including 233 against Syracuse and 142 yards against Kentucky. 

If he can duplicate, or even exceed, last season's performance teams are going to have to pick what they want to do. Slow down Hawkins or keep the Louisville passing game in check? Neither is an easy task, but it's what makes Louisville's offense so dangerous. 

Also: Fate of Kentucky-Louisville football rivalry game still uncertain after ACC announcement

Dominique: Wide receiver Tutu Atwell

Arguably the most exciting player in college football, Tutu Atwell was an All-ACC First Team selection after leading the league in receiving yards (1,276) and touchdowns (12). His receiving yards also set a school record and his touchdowns tied a school record, as well.

Much like Javian Hawkins, it’s not easy to duplicate what these guys did, but if he can show that explosive playmaking ability and lead the wide receivers, that offense will live up to the hype.

What you missed

No. 30: Cameron: OL Cameron DeGeorge; Dominique: DE Dayna Kinnaird

No. 29: Cameron: DE Dayna Kinnaird; Dominique: LB Kameron Wilson

No. 28: Cameron: LB Nick Okeke; Dominique: WR Justin Marshall 

No. 27: Cameron: DB Marlon Character; Dominique: QB Evan Conley

No. 26: Cameron: Safety Jack Fagot; Dominique: RB Hassan Hall 

No. 25: Cameron: DE Yaya Diaby; Dominique: TE Ean Pfeffier 

No. 24: Cameron: LB Yasir Abdullah; Dominique: DB Marlon Character

No. 23: Cameron: Safety Isaiah Hayes; Dominique: Safety Jack Fagot

No. 22: Cameron: Monty Montgomery; Dominique: Defensive end Yaya Diaby

No. 21: Cameron: DE Tabarius Peterson; Dominique: LB Yasir Abdullah

No. 20: Cameron: Kicker Brock Travelstead; Dominique: DB Chandler Jones

No. 19: Cameron: OL Renato Brown; Dominique: LB Nick Okeke

No. 18: Cameron: WR Justin Marshall; Dominqiue: Safety Isaiah Hayes

No. 17: Cameron: OL Cole Bentley; Dominique: WR Dez Fitzpatrick

No. 16: Cameron: OL Robbie Bell; Dominique: DB Anthony Johnson

No. 15: Cameron: RB Hassan Hall; Dominique: OL Robbie Bell

No. 14: Cameron: TE Marshon Ford; Dominique: OL Caleb Chandler

No. 13: Cameron: LB Dorian Etheridge; Dominique: OL Cole Bentley

No. 12: Cameron: OL Caleb Chandler; Dominique: Safety Russ Yeast

No. 11: Cameron: DB Anthony Johnson; Dominique: OL Renato Brown

No. 10: Cameron: WR Dez Fitzpatrick; Dominique: TE Marshon Ford

No. 9: Cameron: LB Rodjay Burns; Dominique: LB Dorian Etheridge 

No. 8: Cameron: Safety Russ Yeast; Dominique: NT Jared Goldwire

No. 7: Cameron: OL Adonis Boone; Dominique: LB Rodjay Burns

No. 6: Cameron: DB Chandler Jones; Dominique: RB Javian Hawkins

No. 5: Cameron: WR Tutu Atwell; Dominique: LB C.J. Avery

No. 4: Cameron: LB C.J. Avery; Dominique: Kicker Brock Travelstead

Cameron Teague Robinson CTeagueRob@gannett.com; Twitter: @cj_teague; Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.

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