Louisville football: Predicting the Cards defensive MVP for 2019

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Anthony Johnson #27 of the Louisville football program and Chandler Jones #2 react to Jones being called for pass interference during the third quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Anthony Johnson #27 of the Louisville football program and Chandler Jones #2 react to Jones being called for pass interference during the third quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 9, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Under Bryan Brown and Cort Dennison, Louisville football’s defense will take on a different look. Who will be the most valuable player in 2019?

Unlike the offensive side of the ball, there is no true “star” for Lousiville football’s defense heading into the 2019 season.

We all know the struggles the Cards have had in the last two seasons, suffering from multiple inept defensive coordinator hirings in Peter Sirmon and Brian VanGorder. Some of the major red flags were covered up by Jaire Alexander and Jon Greenard (when healthy) in 2017, while 2018 was a complete and utter disaster with injuries, lack of depth, and overall scheme challenges.

Louisville finished 58th in total defense in 2017, giving up an average 27.1 points per game which seems reasonable compared to the 44.1 points per game in 2018 and 121st ranking in total defense.

In 2019 under the leadership of new co-defensive coordinators Bryan Brown, who has spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator at Appalachian State, and Cort Dennison, who returned to Louisville from Oregon after spending several seasons on staff under Bobby Petrino, the Cards will look to get back to the strong defensive ways of the past under Todd Grantham and Charlie Strong.

The defense will be a work in progress no doubt, but with a lot of experience returning from last year, players being put in better spots to succeed (even different positions), and others getting the chance they deserve, Louisville should be one of the most improved in the entire country.

The philosophy under Brown and Dennison will be to wreak havoc by playing fast, flying to the ball, and most importantly, forcing turnovers. Under BVG, Louisville forced just 13 total turnovers (six interceptions, seven fumbles) compared to the 23 at Appalachian State.

Louisville will have the most experience at the linebacker position, returning Dorian Etheridge and C.J. Avery, two starters from last season who combined to make 111 tackles in 2018, while adding multiple pieces, including 2018 Patriot Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Holl.

The secondary and defensive lines will both need to take big steps forward in order for Louisville to see any sort of improvement, but just like nearly every position group, there are pieces to work with.

G.G. Robinson, incoming graduate transfer Ty Tyler, Tabarius Peterson, and Amonte Caban all should be able to make plays up front, which should allow for guys like Chandler Jones, Anthony Johnson, TreSean Smith, and Arizona graduate transfer Isaiah Hayes, to make plays on the back end.

But the question remains – who will emerge as the star for Louisville’s defense?

We’ve already predicted the Louisville offensive MVP for 2019, so it’s only right to turn our attention to the other side of the ball.

Here are our candidates and predicted winner for the 2019 Louisville defensive MVP.