Louisville football: Cards’ top candidate for each ACC award next season

ACC Defensive Player of the Year – CJ Avery

2019 winner: Isaiah Simmons, S/LB, Clemson 

Much like with the offensive player of the year award, Louisville football has a couple of guys on the defensive end who are capable of being the next ACC Defensive Player of the Year. To do so, it would take Louisville’s defense taking a monster jump in production during year two after being one of the most inconsistent in the conference in 2019; which may not be as crazy as you think.

As we’ve highlighted all winter and spring, Louisville will only lose three starters from a group that showed flashes of becoming special in 2019 on way to helping the program win an unlikely eight games, including a bowl game over an SEC opponent. While depth will still likely be the biggest issue facing Bryan Brown, Cort Dennison and the entire Louisville football defensive staff, the influx of new players, extra practices gained from limited spring practice and most importantly the much needed continuity should all play major roles in the overall improvement.

While guys like Dorian Etheridge, Russ Yeast, and maybe even a surprise emerging player like Chandler Jones could be nominees for this particular award, to me, the most likely winner would have to be senior C.J. Avery.

There may not be a more experienced player in the ACC than Avery, who will play his third season as a starting linebacker for the Cards, looking to build off of his team-leading 93 tackles. Now bulked up to nearly 225 pounds, Avery has become one of the most consistent producers for the Louisville defense, providing valuable versatility inside as a pass rusher, run stuffer, and in pass coverage.

The senior linebacker will be one of many players to benefit for playing for the same defensive coordinator two seasons in a row for the first time in their career, and considering how well he fit in 2019 as arguably the most important defensive player, it’s nearly a foregone conclusion that he’ll take another step up in the middle of the defense.

While Avery was a very productive player for the Cards in 2019, his impact on games will have to increase this coming season. When looking at what will be needed and where improvement can be made, Avery can look at 2019 winner, Isaiah Simmons.

Much like Avery, Simmons was a freak-athlete who started at safety before moving into a hybrid role at linebacker. Last season the junior was one of the most dangerous players in the entire country, finishing the year with 104 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 interceptions.

Like I said before, Louisville will need to be very much improved overall for any one player to be considered, and if they do take a big step forward a big part of it will be because of Avery’s raised level of play.

Playing faster, creating more havoc and forcing turnovers will be a key part of 2020 for Avery. He told the media during spring practice that he feels up to the challenge. He said:

"“The defense feels like we’re flying around. [I’m playing] a lot faster. I think a football player that thinks a lot doesn’t play as fast. If you know what you’re doing, then you’re just playing and reacting.”"

If Louisville gets a defensive player of the year caliber performance out of CJ Avery, watch out folks.