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Louisville football’s biggest recruiting needs, and the most likely players to fill them

By Presley Meyer

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 24: Malik Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 24: Malik Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Defensive Line

Louisville’s defensive line in 2018 could best be described as a sieve. The Cards failed to get any penetration or drive opposing offensive lines back. Opponents weren’t afraid to go for it on any down and distance because it was almost a certainty that the Cards would be out of position. The final nail in the coffin for most Cards fans was when Georgia Tech came into Cardinal Stadium and put up 66 points while only running the same four plays over and over. Runs straight up the middle. It was maddening, but it was a perfect illustration of the ineptitude of the previous staff- particularly former defensive coordinators Peter Sirmon and Brian VanGorder.

There is still talent on this Louisville defensive line, but the Cards will need to fill some gaps, particularly if they lose any more players.

Departures:

Henry Famurewa, Gary McCrae

Significant Returnees:

Jon Greenard*, G.G. Robinson, Jared Goldwire, Caleb Tillman, Michael Boykin, Allen Love, Jarrett Jackson, Amante Caban, Tabarius Peterson, Demji Dumervil, Amonte Caban, Derek Dorsey, Boosie Whitlow

The success of next year’s defensive line may ultimately hinge on if defensive captain Jon Greenard returns for his senior season. Greenard was injured on Louisville’s first drive of the season, and never returned to game action. According to Rivals.com, Greenard intends to leave the program and transfer to Florida as a graduate transfer.

Should Greenard stay, Louisville’s defensive line has an ample amount of talent, size, and speed to compete at the highest level, and would be led by one of the nation’s most prolific edge rushers. However, they will have a lot of tape to answer to in the off season, regardless of who stays or goes. There were a lot of missed tackles, a lack of hustle plays, and lack of execution. Louisville will have to do better than that in 2019.

Potential Recruits:

The biggest name circulating in the Louisville Twittisphere this week has been local product, and current Kentucky commit JJ Weaver.

Weaver is an elite pass rusher who would see the field on day one for the Cards. The bad news is that the previous staff nearly burned every bridge with Weaver, who attends Moore high school and grew up a Cards fan. The good news is that Weaver will hold off on his decision and wait to sign until the main signing period in February. This is a huge opportunity for Satterfield and the Cards’s staff to establish a relationship with Weaver in hopes of ultimately swaying him back towards the 502.

The Cards are also in on DT Calijah Kancey out of Miami Northwestern. Kancey has been a Pitt commit for a while, but Appalachian State was right there in his recruitment. Satterfield mentioned in his opening presser that there were a handful of players who they really wanted in the past who he and his staff couldn’t quite land because they weren’t a power 5 school. Could Kancey be one of the guys he was talking about?

Louisville’s new defensive coordinator Bryan Brown, and new staffer and Florida recruiting guru Mike Ponce were his two main recruiters. Not to mention, Louisville has a pretty awesome history with Miami Northwestern players like Teddy Bridgewater, Michaelee Harris, Tutu Atwell, and Eli Rogers.

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