Entering Louisville's football fall camp, Jeff Brohm made it clear the defense must improve in its secondary, specifically, not allowing deep passes to be thrown over their heads. The Cardinals' defense gave up big plays after big plays last season, and Brohm emphasized that this offseason that cannot happen again this season.
The Cardinals lost four of their top five defensive backs and are turning to new faces to make this adjustment. As the Cards now make the transition from fall camp to game prep, Brohm addressed the media after the final scrimmage and gave fans a promising response that this secondary and defensive unit is proving to be much better than many expect.
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Louisville's secondary continues to show growth
Louisville is expected to have one of the best offenses in the nation, but if their defense allows plays like they did last year, then this team won't have a chance against Miami, Clemson, or SMU. Brohm made that clear and has voiced that the secondary has to step up and play like it did in 2023, and for that to happen, they must limit the deep passes.
Well, after the third scrimmage, Brohm expressed that there had been drastic improvements in this area. The secondary is playing much better, staying in front of the ball more, and doing a better job limiting balls being thrown over the top.
"Yes, I have that we have definitely seen progress," Brohm stated on whether he has seen improvement from his secondary limiting deep passes. "That has to show up in the games. Last year, there were plenty of good things, but too many wide-open touchdowns in the passing game, and that can't happen. So, at least at this point, we've given up a few things versus press coverage over our heads, which we can't do that as well, but at least it's being contested."
Brohm's secondary is one of the groups that is overperforming and impressing many experts and staff. Ron English appears to have his guys ready for week one, but like Brohm said, they must carry that over to the games and continue to play like they are in fall camp.
Rodney Johnson Jr. and Jabari Mack are expected to be English's starting corners in 2025, with JoJo Evans and D'Angelo Hutchinson playing safety. Brohm stated there are still areas to improve on, like having a couple of busts in coverage that allow the offense to score a touchdown, and he emphasized that cannot happen.
So, while the secondary still has areas to grow, Brohm is quite pleased with his secondary and limiting the big plays after fall camp. Louisville enters game prep now as they transition their focus to Eastern Kentucky and will hope to see this secondary show promise and growth from last season.
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