Louisville football: 15 players to watch in the Charlotte game

15 of 16

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jake Hubenak (7) is sacked by Louisville Cardinals linebacker James Hearns (99) and defensive end Pio Vatuvei (44) during the first half in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

This is an important guy for Louisville’s defense this season. The Cardinals will be without starting outside linebacker Trevon Young this season due to a hip injury. Young was vital for Louisville last season, racking up 8.5 sacks, according to Sports Reference. He unfortunately went down in the Music City Bowl last year, leaving the Cardinals without one of their best defenders.

Hearns has big shows to fill for Louisville this season.

Here is what Steve Jones from the Courier-Journal had to say about James Hearns:

"During U of L’s public practices this month, Hearns has displayed a high motor and explosive charge off the edge, and in preseason interviews, Petrino has repeatedly praised him and Fields for their tandem pass rushing while saying he thinks pressuring the quarterback will be a strength of the team. Hearns competes with redshirt freshman Jonathan Greenard and sophomore Henry Famurewa for playing time, but he appears from both the public practices and the coaches’ comments to have a firm grasp on the starting job"

It will be important for Heanrs to have a strong showing against a weaker opponent in Charlotte. Louisville faces Clemson and Florida State before October 1st, therefore Hearns needs to be playing his best football by that time.

It sounds like Hearns is up for the challenge and it’s going to be great to see him excel against Charlotte.

Next: No. 1

Home/Louisville Football