Former top in-state U of L recruit Boykins trying to find his way at running back

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) - As a true freshman wide receiver at Louisville last season, former first-team All-State North Hardin High School star Shaun Boykins Jr. didn't play a single down. Now he's looking for a different route to playing time as a newcomer at running back.

However, that could be even more of a challenge, considering that the Cardinals have the most dynamic backfield duo in the ACC returning - Isaac Brown, who had one of the best true freshman seasons in program history, and another standout sophomore in Duke Watson. And there's also third-stringer Keyjuan Brown, who has shown promise at times.

But running back coach Chris Barclay said Boykins looks like a natural running back, so he convinced head coach Jeff Brohm to move him, last least temporarily.

As a prep senior, Boykins was considered the No. 1 prospect in Kentucky, although by the time he signed with U of L he was the 7th-ranked player in the state. He finished his senior season with 1,451 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 84 catches, then chose Louisville over Kentucky, West Virginia, Marshall, among others.

"Shaun hasn't really gotten on the field yet, just kind of hasn't emerged in that (wide receiver) room," Barclay said. ""I'm looking at the kid and I'm like, 'he's so big, fast and strong , let me just try to work something out with him.' Maybe, just maybe, he can do it for us. I had a couple of conversations with him. I told him, 'Hey man, you've got some traits. If you buy in, there's an opportunity. I really believe you can be special.' He's buying in, and he's been awesome so far."

After nearly two weeks of fall camp, Boykins is still the fourth back, but Barclay says he has made progress. (Boykins hasn't been available for interviews yet).

"He's got some traits to him that you can't coach," Barclay said of the Radcliff, Ky. native. "I hesitate to draw comparisons a lot, but I think his athletic profile is very, very similar to (former U of L back) Isaac Guerendo. In the sense that he was a receiver in high school, kick returner, straight line guy, track guy, big speed, runs as fast as Guerendo, but is 212 pounds. He's got quads like Saquon Barkley. I mean, they're just bulging out of his pants. And he's got great hands coming from receiver, just like Guerendo did."

Brohm indicated that at this point, Boykins' switch to running back is just an experiment, but that he could wind up playing both positions this season.

"We want to make sure we have different ways to maybe just kind of get the ball in his hands," Brohm said. "So we're going to teach him the running back position a little bit, maybe over-emphasize that for a while, and then maybe he continues to do both, and see if we can find a way to get him on the field."

Louisville will begin classes for the fall semester next Monday. The Cards may have a short scrimmage Wednesday, then end fall camp with a full scrimmage Saturday.

FOOTBALL KICKOFF LUNCHEON

U of L's annual Football Kickoff Luncheon at the Galt House Monday attracted approximately 1,000 fans, but Brohm wasn't quite ready to talk football at the beginning.

"Well, like always, I'll just answer a question by not listening and saying whatever I want," he joked. Then he did just that, talking for several minutes about a range of topics, including lauding the school's baseball and volleyball teams for their success this past season. He called baseball coach Dan McDonnell and volleyball coach Dan Meske "great leaders and great men."

On the lighter side, he also noted that he sometimes calls linebacker TJ Quinn by his father's name, Terry, who was also an outstanding player for the Cards.

"I'm sorry, Terry," he said, looking in TJ's direction. "See, I did it again."

When Brohm finally got around to his third U of L football team, there were no revelations; he basically repeated what he has said in numerous interviews during the preseason -- praising quarterback Miller Moss, and saying he likes the leadership he has seen from this squad, the newcomers, the added depth on defense, and the opportunity to play eight home games at L&N Stadium.