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2007 Season Outlook
2007 Season Outlook
Linebacker Malik Jackson recorded a
team-best nine sacks last season.
take over that position full-time. Cox had some
personal issues a year ago, but should be ready for a
huge season. Junior Johnnie Burns and red-shirt
freshman Rodney Gnat are also going to see
extensive action this fall. Burns, who played
linebacker, made the transition to defensive end in
the spring. Gnat has a big body and good frame and
needs to settle in to his position.
LINEBACKERS
The Cardinals lost two starters at linebacker
from a year ago in Nate Harris and Abe Brown, but
this group has a chance to be very exciting and
quick with the addition of a couple key
components.
Senior Malik Jackson (57 tackles, 16 tackles
for loss, nine sacks) is the headliner of this group at
strong side linebacker. A second team All-BIG
EAST performer a year ago, Jackson was third on
the team with 57 tackles, but led the team with 16
tackles for loss and nine sacks. He also returned a
fumble for a touchdown in a win over then thirdranked
West Virginia. Senior Terrance Butler (17
tackles, 2 tackles for loss) will also see action
behind Jackson. Butler is one of the best special
teams players in the country, but seemed to settle in
nicely at times at linebacker. Butler has great speed
and will be a much-need contributor on the outside.
Junior Lamar Myles (45 tackles) is the front
runner in the middle. At 6-0, 220 pounds, Myles is
a fierce hitter who can also run very well. He was
sixth on the team in tackles last season with 45, but
could be the leader as a junior in 2007. Junior
Mozell Axson (7 tackles) and red-shirt freshman
Tyler Wimsatt are also candidates for playing time.
Axson came on in the spring and proved ready to
get playing time. He played with emotion and
always seemed to be around the football. Wimsatt
red-shirted last season, but could be ready to add
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depth at that spot.
Senior Preston Smith (44 tackles and five
tackles for loss) heads into the fall as the starter at
the weak side linebacker position. Smith started
some in 2006 and had his best season. He finished
the year with 44 tackles and five tackles for loss.
Junior-college transfer Willie Williams is one
of the most highly-touted signees at Louisville.
Williams, who came here from West Los Angeles
Community College, is a dominating and imposing
figure on the outside. He recorded 50 tackles and
nine sacks in limited action. He also played one
season at the University of Miami, where he
recorded 17 tackles.
Sophomore Stephen Garr has added some
bulk and will get a look at linebacker. Red-shirt
freshman Eugene Sowell and sophomore Darius
Mann will also compete for playing time at
weakside linebacker.
SECONDARY
The unit faces the biggest face lift as the
Cardinals must replace three starters in the secondary
in William Gay, Gavin Smart and Brandon Sharp.
Gay was selected in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh
Steelers and Sharp was signed as a free
agent by the Tennessee Titans.
However, despite all the losses,
this unit has the chance to be a big
surprise with a good group of
returnees and a couple of juniorcollege
signees.
Junior Rod Council (12
tackles) has the most
experience at corner.
Council lost his starting
job to Smart last season
after suffering an ankle
injury. However, Council
started the Orange Bowl
after Smart was injured in
Orange Bowl practices
and recorded six stops.
Junior Travis Norton
(10 tackles) will see a
lot of action. The
Cardinals also signed
a pair of solid JUCO
players in Woodny
Turenne and Chaz
Thompson. Turenne
was the top-rated juniorcollege
player in the country.
He recorded eight interceptions
last season at the College of the
Sequoias. Thompson registered
four interceptions at the College of
Siskiyous. Both players will have an
opportunity to compete for a starting
position.
Junior Bobby Buchanan (18
tackles) heads into the fall as the
starter at the boundary corner. He has
a ton of experience and could be
ready to be a full-time starter. He
recorded 18 tackles in a reserve
role.
The safety position is the
deepest position in the secondary.
Senior Jonathan Russell (34 tackles and
three interceptions) has quietly had a great career at
Louisville from the strong safety position. It seems
whenever the Cardinals needed a big play, Russell
made it. He recorded three interceptions last year
and has six for his career. Red-shirt freshman
Brandon Heath battled injuries last season and
was slowed again in the spring. He came on late in
the spring and showed that he has the ability to be a
big-time player at safety. Senior Deon Palmer
made a lot of big plays in the spring and could be a
much-needed participant in the secondary.
Sophomore Latarrius Thomas (20 tackles
and two sacks) started as a true freshman last year
and performed well. He started 10 games and
showed outstanding athletic ability. He has a ton of
talent and could be even better in his second
season. Junior Richard Raglin (10 tackles) has
played a lot of football for the Cardinals on special
teams and will also compete for playing time at free
safety. Incoming freshman C.J. Peake was highlyrecruited
and has a chance to get on the field as a
true freshman.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Cardinals appear to be in great shape
on special teams. They return all three of their
primary specialists and each of its two top
kickoff and punt return specialists.
Strong-legged and accurate Art
Carmody returns as one of the best
kickers in the entire nation. Winner of
the Lou Groza Award last season as
the best kicker in the country,
Carmody has basically set every
Louisville kicking mark and is closing
in on several national standards.
Carmody booted 21-of-25 field
goals and was a perfect 60-of-60 on
extra points. He has hit on 57 of 66
field goals in his career.
Sophomore Corey Goettsche
and senior Todd Flannery will
compete at punter. Goettsche averaged
37.9 yards a punt, while Flannery
kicked at 39.7. Both players need to be
more consistent when called upon.
Spillman gives the Cardinals a
huge weapon in the kick return game.
Spillman was one of the nation’s best
after taking over late in the season,
averaging 26.5 yards a return and
returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown
against Rutgers. Guy, Thomas, Council and
Spencer will all get long looks this fall as kick
returners.
Guy took the punt return chores over
during the middle of the season and did a solid
job. He averaged a team-best 7.4 yards a
return, including a 40-yard return for a score
against West Virginia. Carter was the main
punt returner early on in the season, but had
some problems in the return game. He’ll
compete with Guy to be the main returner.
Spillman may also get some reps back there
in the fall.