The full depth chart can be found HERE.
Note: There will likely be significant changes between now and the first game of the season depending on who leaves, additional commits in the class of 2018 etc. Also, this depth chart is only a general look and does not factor in various alignments. It is to be used primarily to examine the talent/depth at each position rather than trying to say definitively who the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team players will be.
Defensive Line
One of the major focal points in the class of 2018 was to recruit defensive linemen who could play immediately given the loss of De'Asian Richardson, Drew Bailey, James Hearns, and Trevon Young. Depending on the alignment I think both Jared Goldwire and Mike Boykin could very well start for Louisville in the 2018 season. GG Robinson made significant progress from his 2016 season to this year and also looks to solidify a starting spot heading into 2018. Out of the whole group the most likely to start, though, would be Jonathan Greenard. After a strong end to his 2016 season and a breakout year in 2017, Greenard is able to move around on the defensive line as well as playing some linebacker. Louisville will also be looking to find a starter opposite of Greenard in pass rushing situations and while I have him listed technically at outside linebacker, Boosie Whitlow would appear to be that guy.
There are several returning guys on the defensive line that I'm interested to see how they progress, primarily Caleb Tillman, Tabarius Peterson, Derek Dorsey, Amonte Caban and Henry Famurewa. Both Dorsey and Famurewa provided significant minutes in 2017 and held their own. Peterson saw spot minutes and still appears to be adjusting to his much larger size compared to when he was a senior in high school. Last year was Tillman's first real year with the Cardinal defense (he redshirted in 2016) and we really didn't get to see much of him. Caban, a converted linebacker who was incredibly highly rated out of high school has struggled to find a position and make an impact.
Overall I think the unit will be better than it was in 2017 but in order to do so several returning players must really progress in the off-season to provide some experience in what will otherwise be a very young group. Regardless, the position as a whole will be deeper than it was in 2017 and won't have any shortage of talent.
Linebackers
The linebacker position is an interesting one as we witnessed during Sirmon's first year at Louisville. At times, the Cardinals would only line up with one "true" linebacker as the defense relied heavily on both the Nickel and Star positions to be a versatile linebacker/defensive back. Dorian Etheridge appears cemented at middle linebacker after an extremely impressive freshman season but trying to replace Stacy Thomas looks to be a tall task. Whitlow, as I mentioned above, could play a combination of linebacker and defensive line in 2018 and is one possibility to replace Thomas. Another possible option would be Isaac Stewart who backed up Thomas in 2017.
On the other side of Etheridge could be one of the most interesting battles to watch in the spring as I could see PJ Blue, CJ Avery, or London Iakopo all making a run at the position. As spring approaches we will break this down further but just understand there is a lot of talent and possibilities here for Cort Dennison.
Keep 2 new names in mind at the linebacker position in 2018: true freshman Robert Hicks and redshirt freshman Kam Jones. Hicks, an early enrollee, will come to Louisville physically ready to contribute right away. At about 230lbs, Hicks will likely get a look to contribute immediately, helping to replace Stacy Thomas. Jones was one of my favorite prospects from the class of 2017 and one I felt that was always underrated. He could probably play both inside and outside linebacker and although he is slightly undersized, he is an absolute force that really likes to hit.
Defensive Backs
The defensive back position is one of the most critical for Louisville entering the 2018 season as they will be replacing the entire secondary (Jaire Alexander, Chucky Williams, Zykeisis Cannon, and Trumaine Washington). While Russ Yeast had some moments where his true freshman youth showed in 2017, the former 4-star is a promising cornerback that will likely push for a starting job in 2018. Opposite of Yeast, transfers PJ Mbanasor and Rodjay Burns will likely battle for the starting spot. Keep an eye on Anthony Johnson and Rodney Owens as well, 2 members of the class of 2017 that redshirted along with early enrollee Chandler Jones.
At safety, Dee Smith and Khane Pass bring plenty of experience and will both be great options to take over a starting spot. Class of 2017 standout TreSean Smith will be another to watch as he received a good amount of playing time in his freshman season, although he sustained what appeared to be a serious knee injury in Louisville's bowl game. If Smith isn't 100% for the start of the season I would keep an eye on Lyn Strange who redshirted in 2017. Strange has great length for the position and although he could use some additional weight, he brings 4.4 speed to the secondary. Louisville will also have several incoming freshmen at the safety position that could make an impact such as Trenell Troutman, Jarek Campbell, and Telly Plummer.
Besides those discussed above, 2 names worth mentioning at the defensive back position are Quen Head and Lamarques Thomas. While Head is listed as a LB on Rivals he was primarily recruited at the Star position and being a JUCO, could make an immediate impact. Lamarques Thomas is also intriguing as he made his living on special teams in 2017. While Thomas is skinny he is very talented and could work his way into the defensive back rotation in 2018.
Note: There will likely be significant changes between now and the first game of the season depending on who leaves, additional commits in the class of 2018 etc. Also, this depth chart is only a general look and does not factor in various alignments. It is to be used primarily to examine the talent/depth at each position rather than trying to say definitively who the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team players will be.
Defensive Line
One of the major focal points in the class of 2018 was to recruit defensive linemen who could play immediately given the loss of De'Asian Richardson, Drew Bailey, James Hearns, and Trevon Young. Depending on the alignment I think both Jared Goldwire and Mike Boykin could very well start for Louisville in the 2018 season. GG Robinson made significant progress from his 2016 season to this year and also looks to solidify a starting spot heading into 2018. Out of the whole group the most likely to start, though, would be Jonathan Greenard. After a strong end to his 2016 season and a breakout year in 2017, Greenard is able to move around on the defensive line as well as playing some linebacker. Louisville will also be looking to find a starter opposite of Greenard in pass rushing situations and while I have him listed technically at outside linebacker, Boosie Whitlow would appear to be that guy.
There are several returning guys on the defensive line that I'm interested to see how they progress, primarily Caleb Tillman, Tabarius Peterson, Derek Dorsey, Amonte Caban and Henry Famurewa. Both Dorsey and Famurewa provided significant minutes in 2017 and held their own. Peterson saw spot minutes and still appears to be adjusting to his much larger size compared to when he was a senior in high school. Last year was Tillman's first real year with the Cardinal defense (he redshirted in 2016) and we really didn't get to see much of him. Caban, a converted linebacker who was incredibly highly rated out of high school has struggled to find a position and make an impact.
Overall I think the unit will be better than it was in 2017 but in order to do so several returning players must really progress in the off-season to provide some experience in what will otherwise be a very young group. Regardless, the position as a whole will be deeper than it was in 2017 and won't have any shortage of talent.
Linebackers
The linebacker position is an interesting one as we witnessed during Sirmon's first year at Louisville. At times, the Cardinals would only line up with one "true" linebacker as the defense relied heavily on both the Nickel and Star positions to be a versatile linebacker/defensive back. Dorian Etheridge appears cemented at middle linebacker after an extremely impressive freshman season but trying to replace Stacy Thomas looks to be a tall task. Whitlow, as I mentioned above, could play a combination of linebacker and defensive line in 2018 and is one possibility to replace Thomas. Another possible option would be Isaac Stewart who backed up Thomas in 2017.
On the other side of Etheridge could be one of the most interesting battles to watch in the spring as I could see PJ Blue, CJ Avery, or London Iakopo all making a run at the position. As spring approaches we will break this down further but just understand there is a lot of talent and possibilities here for Cort Dennison.
Keep 2 new names in mind at the linebacker position in 2018: true freshman Robert Hicks and redshirt freshman Kam Jones. Hicks, an early enrollee, will come to Louisville physically ready to contribute right away. At about 230lbs, Hicks will likely get a look to contribute immediately, helping to replace Stacy Thomas. Jones was one of my favorite prospects from the class of 2017 and one I felt that was always underrated. He could probably play both inside and outside linebacker and although he is slightly undersized, he is an absolute force that really likes to hit.
Defensive Backs
The defensive back position is one of the most critical for Louisville entering the 2018 season as they will be replacing the entire secondary (Jaire Alexander, Chucky Williams, Zykeisis Cannon, and Trumaine Washington). While Russ Yeast had some moments where his true freshman youth showed in 2017, the former 4-star is a promising cornerback that will likely push for a starting job in 2018. Opposite of Yeast, transfers PJ Mbanasor and Rodjay Burns will likely battle for the starting spot. Keep an eye on Anthony Johnson and Rodney Owens as well, 2 members of the class of 2017 that redshirted along with early enrollee Chandler Jones.
At safety, Dee Smith and Khane Pass bring plenty of experience and will both be great options to take over a starting spot. Class of 2017 standout TreSean Smith will be another to watch as he received a good amount of playing time in his freshman season, although he sustained what appeared to be a serious knee injury in Louisville's bowl game. If Smith isn't 100% for the start of the season I would keep an eye on Lyn Strange who redshirted in 2017. Strange has great length for the position and although he could use some additional weight, he brings 4.4 speed to the secondary. Louisville will also have several incoming freshmen at the safety position that could make an impact such as Trenell Troutman, Jarek Campbell, and Telly Plummer.
Besides those discussed above, 2 names worth mentioning at the defensive back position are Quen Head and Lamarques Thomas. While Head is listed as a LB on Rivals he was primarily recruited at the Star position and being a JUCO, could make an immediate impact. Lamarques Thomas is also intriguing as he made his living on special teams in 2017. While Thomas is skinny he is very talented and could work his way into the defensive back rotation in 2018.
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