3. Rene Konga, DL
Although the stats may not pop off the page for Rene Konga, his presence and his ability to plug up the middle of the defense were key all season to Louisville’s ability to stop the run and to get to the opposing quarterback. Konga’s ability to have such an impact led to him being one of the highest-rated defensive linemen by Pro Football Focus for multiple weeks. Konga finished the season with 29 tackles (13 solo) and 1.5 sacks, a solid performance from one of the best interior defensive linemen in the country.
The defensive line for most of the season was a major surprise, as it was the highest-performing position group for the Cardinal defense. Their consistent ability to keep the Cardinals in close games, especially when the offense was sputtering, was nothing less than remarkable. When the Cardinals needed a stop, more often than not, the defense delivered the right answer. Konga’s leadership and presence in the middle of the line will surely be missed as the Cardinals enter the offseason.