Depth a Question Mark for Louisville's Defensive Line

At several positions heading into the season, Louisville has plenty of depth for 2017.  However, the defensive line may be one position of concern heading into the season with nine players on the roster coming into the season.

The Cardinals do have some senior leadership coming back for 2017 in Drew Bailey, De’Asian Richardson, Trevon Young, James Hearns, and Chris Williams.  After that though, most are sophomores or freshmen.

“That's where we took our biggest hit and that's their biggest question mark coming into this season,” Jeremy Wahmon from the CardinalSportZone.com said.

Headlining the defensive line though for 2017 in defensive tackle Bailey, who is coming off a season in which he recorded 58 tackles and 9.0 tackles for loss.  Richardson and Williams are the only other two defensive lineman though that have received significant playing time for the Cardinals, so question marks surround this season on who will step up and produce. 

However, the return of Young will be key as well. After suffering an injury in the Music City Bowl in 2015 and having to miss the entire 2016 season, the Cardinals staff hope that he can return and get back to where he was in 2015 (recorded 8.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss).

“If Trevon Young comes back and plays at the level he did before being injured, that will help tremendously,” Wahmon said.

G.G. Robinson and Henry Famurewa are two juniors that the staff hope can help depth wise on the defensive line.  They bring some experience to the line but the much needed depth in 2017.

Staying healthy and allowing these young prospects to jump in and gain the needed experience will be key for the Cardinals and their staff this year, because they will need every body on deck.  Injuries happen as well as other factors, so every name on the roster for the defensive line will play a big role for the Louisville this upcoming season.