Louisville Football: Why the Cardinals Defense Will Rebound In 2018

Louisville fans would like to forget “The Peter Sirmon Project.”  The talent, size and speed is there for new Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder. Here’s why the Cardinals defense will rebound in 2018.

Louisville’s defense is ready to rebound from a lackluster 2018.

Last season it was common place to see the Cards display poor technique, arm tackling, lackluster coverage, and have players out of position.

The lack of depth at all three levels was a hindrance down the stretch, but even if the Cards had depth, scheme and guys being out of position doomed the defensive unit from the beginning. New defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder should provide a positive impact and marked improvement as the Cardinals defense will rebound in 2018.

Defensive Line

With a major infusion of size and talent, it was clear that building depth along the defensive line was a major emphasis for the UofL staff for the 2018 class.  Last year, Defensive Line Coach LD Scott didn’t have near the depth or talent he has to work with this season.

JUCO transfers Jared Goldwire and Mike Boykin, both measuring 6’6, 310+ lbs, are expected to push for starting spots and bolster the 2-deep rotation.  They provide the “body types and size” LD Scott and staff needed to bolster a defensive line that is able to compete against the likes of Alabama, Florida State, and Clemson.  The size and athleticism of the line provides versatility for Scott and VanGorder to scheme and help generate pressure.

Defensive end Jon Greenard, who earned one of the defensive team captain titles. is the only established starter along this defensive front. Greenard should benefit from Goldwire and Boykin’s presence. The redshirt junior defensive end projects to have his most productive season yet and be a major disruption to opposing offenses.

The defense also returns Tabarius Peterson (who I’m on record saying is my breakout player for this year’s defense), G.G. Robinson, Henry Famurewa, Derek Dorsey, Caleb Tillman, Amonte Caban and Malik Clark.  Pair with them talented transfer Boosie Whitlow and promising incoming Freshmen Jarrett Jackson, Allen Love, Dez Dumervil-Jean and Thurman Geathers and you have a defensive line that finally possesses the number of bodies and talent we haven’t seen since UofL’s Sugar Bowl season. 

Linebackers

This season you should see a faster linebackers group that emphasizes speed. The unit will feature guys who fly to the ball and possess the physicality to help stuff the run, but are also better equipped to cover receivers in the passing game.

Returning starter Dorian Etheridge looks to improve on his solid Freshman season, while promising 2nd year player CJ Avery looks to bring his speed and versatility to the position he’s grown into as he slides down to LB from the secondary.

Returning player PJ Blue looks to finally get a chance to play significant reps after missing considerable time the last 2 seasons due to injury. Isaac Stewart, Kam Jones and Nick Okeke all appear ready to earn reps, while fast and talented Freshmen Robert Hicks and Yasir Abdullah along with incoming JUCO transfer Quen Head all look to be pushing the position group.

Lacking depth and experience, along with mediocre play from the front four, the linebackers were relied upon as the first defense against the run much too often in 2017.

This season, expect to see a fast, physical, swarming linebackers group that effectively helps facilitate as the glue defending both against the run and the pass. They should be stout enough at the point of attack serving as run support, yet agile enough with the lateral quickness to cover receivers in the flats and across the middle.

Secondary

Arguably the biggest deficiency of the entire defense last season was the secondary.  Losing Jaire Alexander for most of the year was a huge loss and resulted negatively on the defense as a whole.  The secondary’s inability to cover and stop teams on 3rd down kept the defense on the field for far too long.  Opposing offenses just found it too easy to keep drives alive, control time of possession and score points. Lots and lots of points.

While the secondary suffered from inexperience last season, they should benefit from it and be an experienced veteran lead group this season.

It’s a group that is tasked with possibly replacing all 4 starters, but is going to be seasoned nonetheless.  Multiple players in the secondary have had significant playing time in meaningful reps. Their talent level is unquestionable and in my opinion they might be the most talented secondary group we have ever seen at UofL.

Dee Smith, a former 4 star recruit is the second defensive captain alongside Greenard. Smith appears ready to lead this unit coming off a great season.

Former 4-star TreSean Smith looks like he’s ready to return to form after an injury late in 2017. Smith can improve upon his impactful freshman season.  With his ball-hawking ability, he should produce multiple interceptions from the Safety position this season.

Veteran London Iakopo will surely serve the role as “Enforcer,” looking to lay violent hits on receivers coming across the middle. Khane Pass and Lamarques Thomas will provide proven depth to the Safety Spot, 4-star freshman Trenell Troutman will likely get a chance to play and add some depth.

At corner, senior Cornelius Sturghill- who claims to be (and likely is) the fastest guy on the team-is poised and ready to start.  Former 4-star transfers P.J. Mbanasor and Rodjay Burns both had significant experience at other major power five schools before transferring to Louisville. Mbanasor and Burns bring a size and speed upgrade to the corner position that allows them to lock down any wide receiver they line up across.

Former 4-star Russ Yeast received the “Baptism By Fire” role, earning invaluable experience as a freshman last year after Alexander was forced to miss time. Yeast figures to factor in and see plenty of time.

Encouraging 4-star JUCO transfer Marlon Character, along with highly touted incoming freshmen Chandler Jones and Telly Plummer have all earned praise from the coaching staff during Fall Camp.  If you haven’t put it together, this secondary is absolutely loaded with talent.

Putting Together the Pieces

Now the question remains: will Brain VanGorder be able to take all that talent at his disposal and put them into positions to make plays? I believe that answer is yes!

BVG likes to call an aggressive style of defense that uses multiple schemes and base formations to get after the QB and force turnovers.  The defensive roster not only appears to have the talent to accomplish this, but the right playmakers at their position to execute what VanGorder likes to dial up in those multiple sets.

I’m already on record stating this defense is loaded with talent and depth at all three levels.  The emphasis on size and speed should be evident this season and I think BVG will be able to put his personnel in winning situations.  This defense should be improved tackling which will help them not only stop the run, but ultimately mitigate opponents 3rd Down Conversion percentage and the team remaining on the field for so long.

With the size and speed of the interior defensive line, play-makers coming off the edges to pressure the QB, a faster, physically gifted group of linebackers at the point of attack and a tremendously talented secondary who looks to be opportunistic through the air, VanGorder should provide the spark necessary for this defense to rebound in 2018.

The talent is there,  VanGorder just needs to put the keys in the ignition and drive this defense to victory. Look for them to establish an identity of being a tough and aggressive defense that thrives on stopping the run and forcing turnovers.  I think Cardinal fans will be pleased as the Cardinals defense rebounds in 2018.