Louisville Football: Defensive Line Looks to Make Bigger Push in 2018

Louisville football is looking to improve on a disappointing 2017 season on defense, and will look to some newcomers to bolster a defensive line that wants to be much more aggressive.

Bobby Petrino was not thrilled with Louisville’s defense for the majority of last season.

After a 2016 season where former defensive coordinator Todd Grantham orchestrated a squad that was often aggressive to a fault, replacement Peter Sirmon was well… worse. Sirmon’s defense was lackadaisical, boring, and lacked aggression- basically the complete opposite of everything Grantham was.

Brian VanGorder is Louisville’s 3rd defensive coordinator in as many years, and figures to be a happy medium between the previous two coordinators.

VanGorder is going to be less aggressive than Grantham- most everyone is- but will certainly light more of a fire under a defense that was lackluster a season ago.

One of the biggest things that was missing for the Cards in ’17 was a defensive line that can get to the quarterback. The Cards ranked 62nd in the country with only 27 sacks, and 63rd in rushing defense, allowing a ghastly 163.4 yards per contest on the ground last season.

Virtually every area must improve for the Cardinals defensive front if they want to compete for a conference title this season, but it will be no easy task.

Louisville loses Trevon Young (62 tackles, 4.5 sacks in ’17), James Hearns (42 tackles, 7 sacks), and De’Asian Richardson (28 tackles) to seniority. The senior-laden line had high expectations, but was often held back by Sirmon’s passive defensive play-calling.

Returnees

Louisville loses quite a bit of production up front, but a few guys have been waiting in the wings and are going to make a name for themselves.

Jon Greenard

The success of the defense may start and end with Greenard this season. Although he is listed as a linebacker, look for Greenard to  be putting his hand in the ground a lot on the line this year. With Jaire Alexander out the door, Greenard will be one of the vocal leaders for the defensive unit.

We saw a lot of what Greenard is capable of last season. He had 48 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks in only five starts. Greenard was a key contributor behind Young, Hearns, and Stacy Thomas. Now that those veterans are gone, it is his time to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. If he stays healthy, the sky is the limit for the Junior.

Henry Famurewa

Famurewa is a 5th-year senior who has progressed every year as a Card. Famurewa came in as an outside linebacker in 2014, and in 2018 looks like he ate an outside linebacker. He has gained about 85 pounds since leaving high school, and my man is ready to clog some holes on the defensive line.

Like Greenard, H-Fam (does he go by H-Fam? He should) has gone under the radar for most of his career, but will be expected to play a key role in 2018. He recorded 23 tackles and 3 sacks last season, but don’t overlook Famurewa’s skill set going into this year. Famurewa should star in his 5th year under Petrino.

G.G. Robinson

I am assuming G.G. stands for “Good God, my mans is huuuuge.” Believe it or not, G.G. was a “tight end” coming out of high school, but has spent most of his time on defense, beefing up his body and that luscious hair along the way. He is now right around the 300 pound mark. Robinson hasn’t started a ton yet in his three years as a Card, but looks ready to start in the middle alongside Famurewa.

Look for the Robinson-Famurewa combo to step up for Louisville, especially in short run situations. Whenever there are four down linemen, the Cards will rely on Robinson’s services.

Also Returning:

Tabarius Peterson, RS Soph- 18 Tackles in 2017

Derek Dorsey, RS Soph- 8 Tackles in 2017

Amonte Caban, RS Junior- 8 Tackles in 2017

Malik Clark, RS Freshman

Gary McCrae, Sr.- 4 Tackles in 2017

Louisville brings back quite a few guys who have seen time on the field, but also have been with the program for a few years. Petrino and staff have done a good job of developing depth, and now it is a next man up mentality.

Newcomers

Michael Boykin

Boykin is a JUCO transfer who is going to be an instant-impact player. Listed at 6’6,” and well over 300 pounds, Boykin was a highly coveted player coming out out of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He spurned offers from the likes of Auburn, Alabama, Miami, USC, and more for a chance to make his impact at Louisville.

Look for Boykin to start opposite of Greenard at the defensive end position.

Jarrett Jackson

If you see a No. 8 on the field with Jackson on the back of his jersey in 2018, you might do a double take. It’s real, though- Jarrett Jackson is on campus and ready to terrorize backfields. Jackson is a true freshman who is likely going to make a difference right away for the Cards. He is mere weeks removed from high school, and is already 6’6,” 277 pounds.

How much of an impact Jackson will have remains to be seen, but the coaches are bullish on Jackson, and why wouldn’t they be? Jackson has the size and ability to play significant minutes right away.

Boosie Whitlow

Not only does Boosie Whitlow have one of the coolest names in college football, but he is also a tremendous talent at the defensive end position. The elite pass rusher was a solid contributor for South Carolina, tallying 14 tackles, and 5 tackles for loss during his freshman season. After sitting out a full season, and then another at Louisville when he transferred, Whitlow is eager to get on the field.

He won’t hesitate to remind people what’s coming in 2018.

Also seems to have a knack for getting to Kentucky’s quarterback as well. *scribbles feverishly in a notebook* “hmmmmm good.. gooood.”

Jared Goldwire

Again, another mammoth in the middle. Goldwire is a transfer from Fort Scott Community College (s/o Last Chance U Season 3, Ep. 2), who was in on 27 tackles, and recorded 2.5 sacks last season. Goldwire adds even more depth to a Louisville defensive line that desperately needed it. Robinson and Famurewa are locks to start in the middle for the Cards, but Goldwire is likely the No. 3 defensive lineman on the roster. Again, look for Goldwire to use his massive 6’6,” 310 pound frame to clog the middle for the Cards.

Dejmi Dumervil-Jean

6’5,” 360 pound freshman- Yes, you read that right. And he is the nephew of former Louisville great Elvis Dumervil. The dude is a beast. Is he ready to play right away? Probably not. It remains to be seen how Louisville will use him this year, but he could certainly be used as a situational guy in 2018.

Depth Chart

Like the defensive backs, this is another position that is full of a lot of talented pieces. The success of the defense will be dependent on how quickly Brian VanGorder can implement his system, but also how quickly every can mesh and become acclimated to game speed.

Here is what the depth chart will likely look like this season:

DE:

Jon Greenard

Michael Boykin

DT:

Henry Famurewa

Derek Dorsey

DT:

G.G. Robinson

Jared Goldwire

DE:

Boosie Whitlow

Jarrett Jackson

Louisville may be inexperienced, but don’t be deceived. There is plenty of talent on the defensive line in 2018.