Big Red Louie
Fansided

Louisville football: Predicting the Cards defensive MVP for 2019

By Jacob Lane

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 17: Dorian Etheridge #17 of the Louisville Cardinals breaks up a pass in the end zone against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 17: Dorian Etheridge #17 of the Louisville Cardinals breaks up a pass in the end zone against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Dorian Etheridge

2018 stats (10 games played): 55 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 4 PD, 2 FR

There should be no surprise that we start this list off with junior middle linebacker, Dorian Etheridge. The 6’3 231-pound linebacker has been a two-year starter for the Cards, finishing first and third on the team in tackles in his freshman and sophomore seasons respectively.

With his strong play, even in the midst of overall adversity on the defensive side of the ball, Etheridge has become the do-it-all guy for the Cards and should be the team’s leader and captain heading into 2019.

We saw at media day that Etheridge has been one of the guys helping the defense, and the entire team, buy into the new philosophy instilled by Scott Satterfield and co-defensive coordinators, Bryan Brown and Cort Dennison.

Etheridge will undoubtedly be one of the two starting inside linebackers, and will have a huge role in helping the defense move from the bottom of every major statistical category to being what he called “one of the most improved teams in the country.” Of the new scheme, Etheridge said:

"“Yeah, we’re definitely going to be attacking a lot more, like keeping the offense on their toes. A lot of blitzes coming from, like, different directions, disguising things.”"

With strong leadership at linebacker and upfront on the defensive line, Louisville should be in for a big season, at least compared to what we’ve seen in the last two years. Etheridge’s role will, first and foremost, to be actively making plays. Whether that’s at the line of scrimmage, dropping back into zone or covering a running back or tight end, he’ll have to be a constant force for the Cards if there’s any chance of surpassing the expected three to four wins.

There’s some concern about his speed/quickness, and how that will translate to the new defense, and while I am here to hear those out, I believe that his high football IQ and the fact that he’s been through three coordinators in three years, will help him to have his best season yet.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see him finish with 85 plus tackles, five-plus tackles for loss, and two to three sacks. Is that enough for defensive MVP? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Home/Louisville Football