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Louisville football: The 25 most important players for 2020

By Presley Meyer

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 05: Javian Hawkins #10 of the Louisville Cardinals runs the ball in the game against the Boston College Eagles at Cardinal Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 05: Javian Hawkins #10 of the Louisville Cardinals runs the ball in the game against the Boston College Eagles at Cardinal Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 21: Wide Receiver Ontaria Wilson #80 of the Florida State Seminoles is grabbed from behind by Cornerback Chandler Jones #2 of the Louisville Cardinals during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 21, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Cardinals 35 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 21: Wide Receiver Ontaria Wilson #80 of the Florida State Seminoles is grabbed from behind by Cornerback Chandler Jones #2 of the Louisville Cardinals during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 21, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Cardinals 35 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Chandler Jones – Cornerback

Junior

From the “thrown into the fire” category comes Louisville junior cornerback Chandler Jones.

The Miami Central product came into a completely unfair situation during his freshman year and was relegated to a starting role on the worst defense in power five football history.

However, Jones was an integral part of a defense last season that showed signs of life under new coordinators Bryan Brown and Cort Dennison.

Here’s a breakdown, via GoCards.com, of Jones’ 2020 season:

  • Started all 13 games, totaling a career-high 50 tackles and 10 pass breakups
  • Recorded three tackles forced a fumble and broke up a pass against Notre Dame
  • Finished with three tackles versus Eastern Kentucky
  • Made a career-high seven tackles, one for loss, against Western Kentucky
  • Made four stops at Florida State
  • Totaled six tackles and a tackle for loss against Boston College
  • Finished with four pass breakups at Wake Forest
  • Had four tackles, one for loss, against Clemson
  • Notched a career-best eight tackles and picked off his first career pass in the win over Virginia
  • Made a pair of tackles and broke up a pass at NC State
  • Finished with six tackles and a pass breakup in the win over Syracuse
  • Credited with four tackles and first career sack versus Mississippi State.

In a secondary that could still stand to improve quite a bit from last season, Jones is the most consistent returnee. If Louisville can rely on Jones to be a lockdown guy on one side of the field, it will pay massive dividends.

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