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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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Louisville football safety makes play on Clemson
LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 16: Khane Pass #30 of the Louisville Cardinals tackles Tavien Feaster #28 of the Clemson Tigers for a loss of yardage in the first quarter of a game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 23: Lovie Jenkins – Safety

Freshman

  • 2019 stats: 33 tackles, 4 INT, 3 TD (Ocoee HS, Ocoee, FL)
  • 2019 BRL ranking: Not eligible (HS senior)

This is not a typo.

Yes, we just told you several reasons why redshirt senior Isaiah Hayes is crucial to the success and improvement of the defense. Yes, we said he’s one of the players in line to be a breakout performer. And while all those things are true, at the same time incoming freshman Lovie Jenkins may just be even more important to the success of Louisville football in 2020.

How’s that possible?

It takes time. Especially during a pandemic that halted practice at Louisville just a few days after it began, limiting the amount of on-field work Jenkins could get during the spring after enrolling early.

Jenkins may be the most college-ready player from the class of 2020, especially after adding on some much-needed weight and considering the need for an impact safety after the loss of Khane Pass to graduation, there’s every opportunity for him to step into the spotlight right away.

Considering Hayes’ experience and having one year already under his belt playing for Satterfield, it’s likely that he ends up as the day one starter for Louisville. But as we saw last season, the defensive staff is keen to playing multiple guys at each position in order to stay fresh and run their scheme at the highest level which means Jenkins is sure to see the field.

What does Louisville need at the position? You could start with tackling in the run game, as that was the true priority for Pass throughout most of last season, but in my opinion, it’s someone who makes plays and forces turnovers. That’s not something the defense did well in general last season, especially with interceptions, as they finished with seven total only two of which came from the safeties.

Jenkins showed throughout his high school career at Ocoee that he could not only find the ball in the air on defense but take it and make a game-changing play as he had four interceptions as a senior, three of which he returned for touchdowns – one for 102 yards and the other 77. He brings 4.4 speed to the field which will allow him to cover a lot of space while also being able to pursue ball carriers.

I may be crazy for thinking that a freshman will be one of the most important defensive players, even if he doesn’t the start the season as a starter, but Jenkins has talent and athleticism that not many in the group have and I expect back end coach Sha’Don Brown to want that one the field as much as possible.

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