Louisville football: Five defensive players with most to prove in 2020
By Alex Payton
Tabarius Peterson – DE
2019 stats: 18 tackles, 9 solo, 1 PD
This list might consist of some younger players next season, but for now, here is another senior for the Cardinals who will be asked to do a lot in 2020. Tabarius Peterson is a 6’3, 252-pound defensive end from Tucker, Georgia who stepped into a partial starting role for the first time in his career last season but was never ever to breakthrough.
Out of high school in Georgia, he was a three-star recruit and rated 44th in his position nationally. He redshirted his first season in 2016 but has received significant playing time in the three seasons since. Playing behind other veterans, Peterson always was viewed as “the guy with potential” and this season, he’ll have as big of an opportunity to prove that he can take the final step in his development at Louisville.
Peterson had only nine solo tackles last season, dropping from the 27 he recorded in 2018. In total, he has appeared in 37 games for the Cardinals, credited with 91 total tackles, eight of them being for a loss.
While other players like Etheridge, Avery, and Burns are returning to what should be one of the better units on defense, Peterson will be looking to lead a group that loses two starters and will bring in a ton of youthful, but promising talent. The defensive line was a group that seemed to struggle more than others last year, especially with creating a consistent pass-rush, and Peterson is someone who should be able to help. If he isn’t able to increase production, he’ll have to deal with guys like Ja’Darien Boykin, Yaya Diaby, and Danya Kinnaird taking more reps.
The 50 greatest Cardinals of all time. dark. Next
Etheridge, Avery, and Burns have all received some national attention and should be on lists to potentially get drafted after the year is completed. None of those lists currently include Tabarius Peterson – but he has all the power in the world to change that. He will need to prove himself this season to put his name in the company of the leaders of this defense. If Goldwire is a handful in the middle of the defensive line, that could provide an opportunity for Peterson to shine.