Spring Prospectus: 2016 Louisville Football
DEGREE CHECK
The Cardinals had one of the smallest senior classes in the country with just 13 players playing their fourth year in the program. Here is the list of seniors who played their final home game for the Cardinals vs. Syracuse: Corvin Lamb, James Burgess, Jermaine Reve, Darius Skinner, George Clements, Josh Appleby, John Wallace, Aaron Ahner, Kelby Johnson, Aaron Epps, Sheldon Rankins, Pio Vatuvei and Jon Brown.
Louisville played in the Music City Bowl with 17 players who already had earned their degrees in hand, with 12 of those student-athletes graduating in December prior to the post-season appearance.
Three players already have their degree (December graduates), but are choosing to come back for another season to compete while earning a graduate degree:
DT DeAngelo Brown
C Tobijah Hughley
RB Brandon Radcliff
POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN
Offense
Definite Losses: (1)
Right Tackle:
Aaron Epps (6-7, 288, 3-star, 2-year partial starter, 12 starts)
Replacements: Kenny Thomas (6-6, 330, 3-star recruit) is the heir apparent to this spot. He even started a few games this season. You could also see Khalil Hunter (6-4, 291, 3-star JuCo recruit) spend time at a tackle spot next season as well.
Other Possible Starters Lost:
None - except for the possibility of QB Kyle Bolin transferring if he is no longer the starter and has his degree in hand. Quarterbacks Tyler Ferguson and Will Gardner have already transferred with degrees in hand.
Defense
Definite Losses: (3)
Defensive End:
Sheldon Rankins (6-2, 303, 3-star, 2-year starter, 25 starts, and potential 1-2 Rd NFL Draft Pick)
Replacements: Rising junior Drew Bailey (6-3, 284, 3-star JuCo recruit) filled in and played well at times this season. It would be easy to see G.G. Robinson being the future at this position once he completes his redshirt season.
Defensive End:
Pio Vatuvei (6-2, 296, 3-star JuCo recruit, 1-year full-time starter, 14 starts)
Replacements: Rising junior James Hearns (6-3, 257, 3-star recruit) is the natural spot here. He made plays this season. Louisville also lost Nick Dawson (6-3, 265, 4-star recruit, U.S. Army All-American) to transfer, looking for more playing time.
Inside Linebacker:
James Burgess (6-0, 230, Highly rated 3-star, 4-year contributor, 3-year starter, 40 starts)
Replacements: Stacy Thomas (6-1, 225, 3-star recruit) is the natural pick here to replace Burgess. Thomas stepped in several times this season and is a capable player. Also watch for redshirt freshman Amonte Caban (3-star recruit) who was a tackling machine in high school.
Other Possible Starters Lost:
OLB Trevon Young (6-4, 237, Jr., 3-star JuCo recruit, Excellent start to the season, lost to hip injury)
Starters who turned down NFL interest to return:
NT DeAngelo Brown (6-0, 308, Jr., 3-star recruit, Tremendous run stuffer with great strength)
ILB Keith Kelsey (6-1, 236, Jr., 3-star recruit, Tackle machine could be a 3-4th Rd NFL guy like Preston Brown)
OLB Devonte Fields (6-4, 245, 4-star recruit, Excellent stats, great numbers, already sat out a year)
SAF Josh Harvey Clemons (6-5, 230, 4-star recruit, Excellent measurables, a combine wonder)
CB Shaq Wiggins (5-9, 190, 3-star recruit, excellent speed, quickness, feisty defender)
Special Teams
Definite Losses: (2)
Kicker:
John Wallace (6-0, 190, 2-star, Louisville's primary kicker for 4 years)
Replacements: Blanton Creque from Shelbyvile is a solid option, and there's always the possibility of Austin Todd Johnson kicking both positions. Senior Anthony George (Trinity) or Sophomore Patrick Soucy (Russell County) could be factors or perhaps sophomore Evan O'Hara out of Boone County.
Punter:
Josh Appleby (6-3, 222, 3-star, Came into his own midway through last season)
Replacements: St. Xavier walk-on Mason King was the backup this season as a freshman. Austin Todd Johnson, Louisville's recruited kicker in this class, will likely challenge immediately for the starting spot here.
