WHO’S GONE?

Gerald Christian

Louisville hasn’t had numbers at the tight end position for quite some time, and in 2014 that was no different.  Gerald Christian was the 4th leading receiver for the Cardinals with 32 catches for 384 yards and 5 Touchdowns (tied for 1st).  Christian was selected to the East-West Shrine Game.  I may never get over the missed pass from Ryan Johnson (punter) who missed a wide open Christian on a fake punt vs. Georgia.  We’ll see if Gerald can make an NFL roster.

WHO’S BACK?

Keith Towbridge (6-5, 265, Jr.), Charles Standberry (6-3, 231, Soph)

The Cards used two very different types of tight ends in addition to Gerald Christian in 2014.  A big bodied Keith Towbridge, and a very skilled Charles Standberry.  Towbridge played a great deal of the regular snaps, and Petrino loved calling out plays specifically for Standberry.  In fact, Charles scored the first TD of the season and if not for a failed finger tip drop vs. Florida State could have converted a 1st down (on 4th down) that would have extended a potentially game winning drive for the Cards.

Keith is extremely athletic for his frame, and showed that athleticism running down Notre Dame punt returner Greg Bryant from behind to stop a touchdown.  On the season Towbridge caught 9 balls for 107 yards while Standberry hauled in 7 for 57 yards and 2 Touchdowns.  Expect both of these totals to rise in 2015.

WHO’S COMING?

Micky Crum (6’4, 251, Fr.), Cole Hitkutini (6’5, 240, Jr.)

The Cards were able to hold on to the redshirt of Micky Crum during 2014 and while his listed height & weight remain unchanged from the original roster release Micky recently tweeted that he is “6’5, 262 now”.  Crum came to Louisville with a wrestling background along with playing QB, RB, TE, WR, DE, LB, and whatever other football position you can think of on the gridiron for his Hamilton Township HS (Columbus, OH).  Micky has a great deal of potential and chose Louisville over an offer from Illinois with interest from several other schools.

The most recent addition at the tight end position for the Cards signed with Louisville on December 22nd during the JUCO signing window.  Cole Hikutini comes to Louisville from City College of San Francisco after flipping him from Purdue.  Cole was a 2-star prospect according to Scout & Rivals, but was given a 3-star rating by 247sports.com.  It will be interesting to see the rotation is during Spring and if Hikutini can crack into the rotation with the players having already been in the system.

WHO MAY BE COMING?

G.G. Robinson (6-4, 260), Jonathan Greenard (6-4, 220), and Aaron Cochran (6-3, 250)

Robinson and Greenard are likely defenders but Aaron Cochran has the best shot to be a tight end, but could also end up on defense as well.  In reality all 3 of these players are athletic enough to play either side of the football extremely well.  The Cards need numbers at tight end, but they really haven’t had depth at the position for a while.  Louisville also isn’t finished recruiting and could elect to mix & match different players at the position early in player’s career, particularly if that player is redshirting.

BEST GUESS DEPTH CHART

1) Keith Towbridge
2) Charles Standberry
3) Micky Crum
4) Cole Hitkutini

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Mark Blankenbaker

@UofLSheriff50. Louisville native, University of Louisville Business School Grad c/o 2004. Co-Founder of TheCrunchZone.com

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