Way-too-early Louisville football depth chart preview: Linebackers

Louisville football: Starters

Card – Rodjay Burns (Sr.)

Inside – C.J. Avery (Sr.)

Inside – Dorian Etheridge (Sr.)

Outside – Yasir Abdullah (Jr.)

Outside of Clemson and maybe North Carolina, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more experienced talented, and productive linebacking core than Louisville. Returning three out of four starters from the 2019 season and the continuity on the defensive staff will give this group everything they need this season to take that proverbial “next step” that we’ve talked about all year.

At the Card linebacker spot, Louisville will return Rodjay Burns, one of the most productive and fun players to watch from last season. After moving over from the cornerback position, Burns thrived in his new role which was designed as a hybrid role where speed and playmaking were prioritized. We saw that come to fruition as Burns finished with 83 total tackles and secured 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, forced one fumble, and returned a fumble recovery for a defensive score. With more time to get stronger and learn the position, Burns could be in line for a national breakout season.

Next to Burns will be one of the most experienced duos of inside linebackers across the ACC in Dorian Etheridge and CJ Avery. Both guys have received draft buzz in 2021 and that’s because of what we’ve seen thus far in their careers and what we expect them to accomplish in their final seasons as Cardinals’. Etheridge and Avery thrived as tacklers and run-stoppers in 2019, combining for 163 total tackles between the two, and with another offseason to get familiar with the scheme they’ll be able to play even faster next year.

The other outside linebacker spot is where we’ll see competition for the starting role, but if it were up to me the nod would go to rising junior, Yasir Abdullah. In his first true season playing significant snaps, the speedy linebacker thrived, and quite honestly, didn’t get the credit he deserved.

Playing in mostly a backup/rotational role, Abdullah finished seventh on the team in total tackles with 45 (26 solo) and showed both pass-rush and playmaking potential abilities. With more snaps available to him, I expect that production to grow significantly. The speed that he brings to the field is game-changing and much like we saw with others last season it just takes time to find the right spot and role on the field. I’ve always thought he was a star in the making and this year Abdullah should be in line to be the most improved player for the Cards which will only make their linebacking crew even more dangerous.