Louisville football: 5 players standing to benefit from expanded roles in 2020

Jared Goldwire – NT

Senior

2019 stats: 22 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 pass deflections 

Nose tackle may not be the most glamorous position on the field for Louisville football, but in 2020 it could be one of the most important to the overall success of Bryan Brown’s defense in his second season.

While the Louisville football staff didn’t have to deal with many departures this offseason, the area that will be most impacted heading into 2020 will without question be the defensive line. Gone are starters Amonte Caban, who started at the defensive end position, and G.G. Robinson, who anchored the defense the entire season. Also departing are pass rushers Boosie Whitlow and Gary McCrae, both of whom spent time playing on the defensive line as well as at outside linebacker, primarily rushing the quarterback.

Replacing Caban in 2020 will be a challenge of its own, but the major focus for Mark Ivey and Brown will prove to be preparing senior Jared Goldwire to step into the defensive tackle spot left behind by multi-year starter G.G. Robinson.

In 2019, Robinson quickly developed into one of the key leaders for Louisville football head coach Scott Satterfield and a player that could be trusted with carrying the torch as a culture builder among players. Robinson had been a productive player during his three seasons playing for Louisville, but as a senior in 2019, he was going to be counted on to provide more than he had in all season combined.

The redshirt senior was a player whose production and leadership often times went far more unnoticed than they should’ve. The modest 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks that Robinson finished the season with didn’t come near describing the impact he provided for the defense.

The duty to replace that impact as well as the production will likely fall on senior defensive tackle, Jared Goldwire, who will enter his third season playing for Louisville football following a brief stint at the JUCO level.

We saw some of what Goldwire could do in his first season at Louisville playing under Brian VanGorder, but much like anyone playing for an incompetent defensive coordinator, he looked like he was playing in a defensive system that didn’t fit him.

In year one of Brown’s 3-4 based scheme, Goldwire thrived, giving the defense a versatile rusher who was able to get into the backfield and make plays. In fact, Goldwire was a guy who constantly popped when watching games live or when viewing highlights. I can’t tell you how many times in 2019 I watched a big hit or a nice play made by the defensive line and wondered who it was, only to find out I was Goldwire.

Playing both inside and outside, Goldwire gave Louisville a different level of athleticism and power when out on the field, especially when it came to rushing the passer, and it showed in his season stats, as he tallied 22 tackles (14 solo), four tackles for loss, and two sacks.

I asked G.G. Robinson about Goldwire and what he expects and what Louisville fans can expect as he steps into the defensive tackle spot.

“(Jared) Goldwire is going to have no problem stepping up this year,” said Robinson. “He flashed last year and made some good plays here and there but this year I expect a lot more of that. He just needs to be consistent and I’m sure that comes with knowing you are the guy now. I expect big times out of him next year.”

With more snaps in 2020, along with a much more talented defensive front with the additions of guys like Henry Bryant, Ja’Darien Boykin (who you’ll read more on in a second), Yaya Diaby, and several others, I fully expect Goldwire to develop into one of the most consistent and productive players across all 11 spots.

Goldwire has talked about the confidence himself and other players have in the system due to the continuity with coaching, and I believe with more snaps available to him he’ll be one of the top players for the team by year-end.