Louisville football: Most underrated player at every position in 2020

Defense

Defensive line

Zach Edwards, RS Fr

Louisville’s defensive line will be much improved in 2020 thanks to some transfers and young names along the front three.

However, a name that most are overlooking in redshirt freshman Zach Edwards.

After committing to the Cardinals over Ole Miss and LSU in 2019 as Louisville’s top-rated defensive recruit and potential inside linebacker of the future, the coaching staff opted to redshirt Edwards and move him up as an edge rusher.

Now, Edwards enters his redshirt freshman season up 30-plus pounds and primed to be a great situational pass rusher. At 6’3,” 265-pounds, Edwards could factor in as one of the players that helps turn the Louisville defensive line into a position group to be respected around the ACC.

Linebacker

PJ Blue, RS Sr

There’s not a player more deserving of whatever good things come to him in 2020 than Louisville fifth-year linebacker PJ Blue.

A highly-touted prospect in the 2016 class, Blue chose the Cardinals over offers from Alabama and Clemson but tore his ACL in the offseason heading into his redshirt freshman year.

After sitting out two seasons, Blue was one of the bright spots for the Cardinals in 2018, chipping in 39 tackles in four starts for the Cardinals, including eight against Florida State.

However, after entering 2019 as one of the best returning linebackers on the roster, Blue suffered another knee injury and was forced to miss his entire redshirt junior season.

Blue deserves redemption in 2020, and he could be a darkhorse candidate to push for a starting spot at linebacker.

Safety

Isaiah Hayes, RS Sr

Louisville is paper-thin at safety, which is why the addition of transfer Isaiah Hayes was critical for the Cardinals in 2019.

Hayes came to Louisville by way of Arizona, where he was a lesser-used player that was able to graduate in three years and have two years of athletic eligibility.

Last season, as the secondary depth filled out, Hayes stepped in on a number of occasions and was more than serviceable. He got the starting nod in place of an injured Russ Yeast in the Cardinals’ bowl game.

The Cardinals need Hayes to step up and be a big-time contributor in 2020, and his versatility as a tackler and defender in pass-coverage makes him a prime candidate to start alongside Yeast this year.

Corner

Marlon Character, Sr

Much of the focus at the corner positions will be focused on Anthony Johnson and Chandler Jones next season, but not enough conversation is ever had about rising senior Marlon Character.

Character may not get the starting nod in 2020, but he will be vital for Louisville’s success on the outside. He is an underrated defender in coverage, and though the stats did not show the full story in 2019, as the Cardinals pass rush improves, so will the play of the secondary.

Expect Louisville to get more pressure next season, and when that happens, Character’s aggressive style of play will lead to great things.