Going to do a quick dive using PFF/Football Reference for the defensive guys; For reference, PFF average grade is a 60.0
Start with Stephen Herron Jr. - Edge, SR, Stanford
2022 Stats (68.2 PFF grade)
600 snaps
40 pressures
5 sacks (2 forced fumbles)
8 QB hits
16 run stops (TFL/Tackled within a yard)
Herron is a polished pass rusher that will bring experience to a young group. He flashes often during games and had 3 separate games with 5 or more pressures (ND, AZ State and CAL). Herron isn't great against the run, but he flat gets after the QB. He's a bit of a different player than Diaby, but for comparison, Diaby had 36 pressures, 10 sacks. Herron generates pressure at a very similar rate.
Devin Neal - DB, JR (2 years of eligibility), Baylor
2022 stats (68.4 PFF grade)
358 snaps (88 Box, 165 FS, 97 Slot)
33 tackles, 4 assists
2 INT, 1 PBU
21 targets, 16 receptions allowed
12 run stops (81.5 RDEF grade)
Neal is a box safety that is a really good tackler/run defender, while also having good ball skills. One of the more underrated transfers, in my opinion, Neal should come in and make an immediate impact on this defense.
Rodney McGraw - DL - SO (3 years of eligibility), Penn State
2022 Stats (57.7 PFF grade)
12 snaps
1 pressure
A former top 500 recruiter, McGraw brings needed depth to the DL room. In watching him some, he likely falls into the Yaya Diaby role (part interior, part edge guy). McGraw looks closer to 275-280 than the 265 he is listed at. He has some untapped potential that I believe Ivey and Hagan can tap into.
Marquis Groves-Killebrew - DB - FR (4 years eligibility), Texas A&M
2022 Stats (54.4 PFF grade)
21 snaps
2 targets, 1 reception
Former top 120 player in the 2021 class. A true outside corner that will be a staple in the Louisville defense for years to come. Long, athletic and a huge get for Brohm and Co. Looking at MGK HS offers will tell you a lot about the talent he has (Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, etc...). I'm excited to see what he can add to an already solid CB room.
Gilbert Frierson - DB - SR - Miami
2022 stats (45.0 PFF grade)
104 snaps (1,306 career snaps) - most snaps in the box or slot.
91 career tackles
24 career pressures
3 career sacks
2 career INT, 5 career PBU
Frierson is an interesting one for me. Watching him, he reminds me of a bigger Ben Perry. A big corner/LB hybrid who is an excellent tackler and can also cover. Frierson has dealt with injuries, but his 2 healthies seasons (2020 and 2021), he had good seasons. I think we see some mixtures of him playing slot, and even LB in the right package. I was iffy on this, but the talent is undeniable.
Plan on doing one for the offensive guys as well.
I'm excited about what they've added here. If Lole is back, I feel good about where they are. LB might be a need, but it's clear they feel good about Stanquan Clark coming in and contributing early. Biggest concern on defense is how do you replace Abdullah/Diaby? I think Herron can fill a large void, but the interior is where the next step needs to come.
Start with Stephen Herron Jr. - Edge, SR, Stanford
2022 Stats (68.2 PFF grade)
600 snaps
40 pressures
5 sacks (2 forced fumbles)
8 QB hits
16 run stops (TFL/Tackled within a yard)
Herron is a polished pass rusher that will bring experience to a young group. He flashes often during games and had 3 separate games with 5 or more pressures (ND, AZ State and CAL). Herron isn't great against the run, but he flat gets after the QB. He's a bit of a different player than Diaby, but for comparison, Diaby had 36 pressures, 10 sacks. Herron generates pressure at a very similar rate.
Devin Neal - DB, JR (2 years of eligibility), Baylor
2022 stats (68.4 PFF grade)
358 snaps (88 Box, 165 FS, 97 Slot)
33 tackles, 4 assists
2 INT, 1 PBU
21 targets, 16 receptions allowed
12 run stops (81.5 RDEF grade)
Neal is a box safety that is a really good tackler/run defender, while also having good ball skills. One of the more underrated transfers, in my opinion, Neal should come in and make an immediate impact on this defense.
Rodney McGraw - DL - SO (3 years of eligibility), Penn State
2022 Stats (57.7 PFF grade)
12 snaps
1 pressure
A former top 500 recruiter, McGraw brings needed depth to the DL room. In watching him some, he likely falls into the Yaya Diaby role (part interior, part edge guy). McGraw looks closer to 275-280 than the 265 he is listed at. He has some untapped potential that I believe Ivey and Hagan can tap into.
Marquis Groves-Killebrew - DB - FR (4 years eligibility), Texas A&M
2022 Stats (54.4 PFF grade)
21 snaps
2 targets, 1 reception
Former top 120 player in the 2021 class. A true outside corner that will be a staple in the Louisville defense for years to come. Long, athletic and a huge get for Brohm and Co. Looking at MGK HS offers will tell you a lot about the talent he has (Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, etc...). I'm excited to see what he can add to an already solid CB room.
Gilbert Frierson - DB - SR - Miami
2022 stats (45.0 PFF grade)
104 snaps (1,306 career snaps) - most snaps in the box or slot.
91 career tackles
24 career pressures
3 career sacks
2 career INT, 5 career PBU
Frierson is an interesting one for me. Watching him, he reminds me of a bigger Ben Perry. A big corner/LB hybrid who is an excellent tackler and can also cover. Frierson has dealt with injuries, but his 2 healthies seasons (2020 and 2021), he had good seasons. I think we see some mixtures of him playing slot, and even LB in the right package. I was iffy on this, but the talent is undeniable.
Plan on doing one for the offensive guys as well.
I'm excited about what they've added here. If Lole is back, I feel good about where they are. LB might be a need, but it's clear they feel good about Stanquan Clark coming in and contributing early. Biggest concern on defense is how do you replace Abdullah/Diaby? I think Herron can fill a large void, but the interior is where the next step needs to come.
