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Louisville Football: Revamped Secondary Could Steal Spotlight for Cards

By Presley Meyer

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Dee Smith #11 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts after making a tackle for loss in the first half of the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Dee Smith #11 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts after making a tackle for loss in the first half of the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Louisville football loses one of the most electric corners in school history, but brings in a secondary that has the potential to be one of its most talented groups ever. We break down what the Cards will have in store in 2018, and provide a potential depth chart for the season opener.

Expectations are tempered for Louisville’s defense in 2019.

After one of the most disappointing defensive years in recent history for the Cards, defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon is out the door, and seasoned DC Brian VanGorder is at the helm.

On paper, VanGorder’s hands are full – particularly in the secondary. The Cards lose the services of first-round draft pick Jaire Alexander, who was a complete difference maker in 2017. In addition, they lose Trumaine Washington, Zykiesis Cannon, and Chucky Williams- who were more than serviceable veterans. Williams and Cannon were second and third on the team, respectively, in tackles in ’17.

With Alexander and a group of veteran mainstays gone, the entire defensive backs corps is lacking in experience on the big stage. Much of the Cards returnees saw limited playing time last season, and often proved that they might not have been ready for the big stage.

But, what the Cardinals secondary lacks in experience, they may make up for with a ton of raw talent. Quite possibly the most talent that Louisville fans have seen in the secondary in some time.

Additionally, every Cardinal will have to relearn the defense together. Every player is on an equal playing field now that VanGorder is taking over.

“I think we’ve got a lot of young players that will be getting, for the first time, an extensive amount of playing time,” VanGorder said in his introductory press conference. “Usually, you get an enthusiastic player that’s in those circumstances.”

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Enthusiasm is exactly what the Cards will need in 2018. After a season where former defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon confusingly chose to game plan extremely conservatively, VanGorder is ready to take things up a few notches.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, who VanGorder worked under for three seasons, had nothing but high praise for VanGorder last week. Kelly said he thinks VanGorder will get things “turned around immediately” in an interview on The Zone With Jason Anderson. He added that “there’s no question” the defense will be better, stating that VanGorder is a coach that likes to take the defensive responsibilities upon himself.

One can expect to see an aggressive defensive scheme from VanGorder in 2018, similar to a Todd Grantham type of strategy and mentality. With that in mind, the Cards will need a lot of play-makers to lock down on the outside, run to the ball aggressively, and be able to blitz when called upon.

The Cards will field a mixture of players who saw some action last season and mix in a group of extremely talented transfers. By our count, Louisville will field five players that  were 4-star recruits coming out of high school.

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