2012 Statistics

ASST. COACHES

Off. Coordinator/QB Coach: Shawn Watson (3rd season)
Previous: Nebraska Off. Coor./QB Coach

Def. Coordinator: Vance Bedford (4th season)
Previous: Florida DB Coach

Running Backs/Special Teams: Kenny Carter (4th season)
Previous: Florida RB Coach

Receivers: Ron Dugans (4th season)
Previous: Georgia Southern WR Coach

Tight Ends: Sherrone Moore (5th season)
Previous: Louisville Grad. Asst.

Offensive Line: Dave Borbely (4th season)
Previous: Virginia OL Coach

Defensive Line: Clint Hurtt (4th season)
Previous: Miami FL DL Coach

Linebackers: Brian Jean-Mary (4th season)
Previous: Georgia Tech LB Coach

Defensive Backs : Tommy Restivo (4th season)
Previous: Louisville Grad. Asst.

    QUARTERBACK  

• Teddy Bridgewater is on his way to becoming the best Louisville quarterback of all-time and that includes surpassing some hefty names like Brian Brohm, Dave Ragone, Browning Nagle, Stefan LeFors and Chris Redman.
• The Big East Offensive Player of The Year Bridgewater has a great knack for using his feet to extend plays in addition to his accurate throws. He is operating like a poised veteran, seeing the field better than any other college QB. The Heisman hype just keeps growing. He has a legit shot at the nation's most prestigious award and should have NFL scouts praying for him to enter next April's Draft.
• A new back up must be found to replace Will Stein. Big redshirt frosh Will Gardner passed on a chance to play at Alabama and sat out last season to rehab a knee injury. A strong spring sent him into the back up role leader. The Cards also signed 6'4 lefty Brett Nelson out of the JUCO ranks and incoming four-star recruit Kyle Bolin is on his way to campus.

    RUNNING BACK  

• Louisville had two quality ball carriers last year. Leading rusher Jeremy Wright left the program this winter and headed for the NFL leaving Senorise Perry to shoulder the load provided he can overcome a season-ending knee injury suffered in the tenth game.
• Before his injury Senorise Perry was beginning to break out with nice vision and strength. He also caught 18 passes but did not participate in spring drills. He is expected to be ready for August camp.
• With Perry out Dominique Brown has emerged into a significant role after he too was forced to rehab a knee injury that left him sitting out all of last season. At 226 pounds Brown, a converted quarterback, is a physical downhill rusher.
• The big concern is Perry's recovery. Charlie Strong has been clear in stating he is unsure how Perry will respond by the time the opener arrives. Based on how impressive Perry has become it would not be surprising to see the coaching staff work him in slowly.

    RECEIVER  

• Three of the top four receivers are back and that is great news for Teddy Bridgewater. On the outside touchdown maker DeVante Parker is a brute for opposing covermen. He is physically superior to most defensive backs and his speed, big hands and jump ball athletic ability are leading him on a path to playing on Sundays.
• Senior Damian Copeland was a major breakout player last season while leading the team with 50 receptions. He will prevent defenses from focusing all their efforts into doubling Parker.
• Slot receiver Eli Rogers will continue to see his share of time in the rotation. Rogers is quick and elusive and has proven to be a clutch receiver while bailing out the quarterback when plays break down.
• Coaches are eager to unleash to SEC imports. Matt Milton is a 6'5 Tennessee transfer who sat out last year and gives Bridgewater another deep option. Robert Clark is a Florida transfer who has speed to burn and can also stretch the field.
• This group has plenty more depth. Incoming five-star freshman James Quick was the nation's third rated receiver coming out of high school according to Scout.com. Quick was Kentucky's Mr. Football last year and is believed to be the highest rated recruit ever to sign with Louisville.

    TIGHT END  

• Plenty of options exist at tight end too. Senior Ryan Hubbell showed some flashes of ability after transferring in from the JUCO ranks while starting four games a year ago.
• Don't be surprised if another Florida transfer in Gerald Christian rises up the ranks quickly. The former four-star prospect has athletic ability and is an assertive blocker who could wind up in the professional ranks down the road.

    OFFENSIVE LINE  

• Plenty of attention has been given to the offensive line this off-season while trying to replace two key starters in Kupper and Benavides. Despite Teddy Bridgwater's shiftiness as a QB, this bunch has not done such a great job protecting their quarterback (ranked 85th nationally in 2012 for sacks allowed and 110th nationally in 2011).
• Guard John Miller is the team's most complete blocker while third-year starter Jake Smith has been moved from guard to center.
• All eyes will be on 350-pound tackle Abraham Garcia as he steps in as a newcomer to fill a void at tackle. He played as a rookie last fall but not enough to be considered a proven commodity yet. Talk about massive tackles...6'6, 340-pound Jamon Brown is back on the other side and continues to evolve after making the switch from defensive tackle. He has not come close yet to reaching his potential as a blocker.
• Pass protection has to improve and may be the biggest obstacle in keeping this offense from exploding. If anything holds this offensive back this is where it all starts.

    DEFENSIVE LINE  

• The depth factor here is amazing as not one single player departed from this unit, but the production hasn't been so amazing. The only lineman to start every game last season was Marcus Smith, a former quarterback transformed linebacker transformed defensive end. Smith is the best athlete on this front.
• The program has high hopes the pass rush can get better and it sorely needs to get better. At the other end spot is Lorenzo Mauldin who showed solid promise as a first timer here. But he was injured in November and was never the same. This group really needs Mauldin to emerge as a guy who can bring pressure.
• The middle of this front has plenty of experienced bodies at the tackle spots but has few positives to show for their efforts thus far.
• Sure depth is a luxury for keeping people fresh but the Cardinals have failed to produce an All-Conference lineman for the second straight year, ranked dead last in league sacks and gave up 4.3 yards per carry. They simply have to perform better in 2013 as the urgency factor hits its peak.

    LINEBACKER  

• This unit should continue to grow. Preston Brown is the anchorman and should once again surpass the 100 tackle mark. He was forced to move inside last year and evolved into an All-Conference performer. He is a punishing tackler and provides a perfect fit for Charlie Strong's defensive system.
• Keith Brown lived up to his high school hype and was a Freshman All-American starting five games last year. The sure-tackler has a promising future.
• This unit is on the smallish side when it comes to size but makes up for it by covering a great deal of ground. This has to be parlayed into more explosive plays being made behind the line of scrimmage.

    DEFENSIVE BACK  

• These safeties are second to none. Hakeem Smith skipped the NFL to return for his fourth year as a Louisville starter. The three time All-Big East selection has 245 career tackles and is the leader of this defense. His frame is capable of delivering blows and covering receivers at the same time. He has big time NFL potential.
• While Smith may be the leader, Calvin Pryor is the shooting star after erupting last fall to become an All-American coverman entering 2013. He has the muscle to backup his fanatical physical style of play which gives him a knack for changing the momentum of a game. The best set of news is that Pryor has yet to reach his potential and the next generation depth behind them is star-studded as well.
• The focus will be on the play of the cornerbacks, especially now that all-star performer Adrian Bushell has moved on. Terell Floyd will be the veteran and was a ten game starter in 2012. On the other side Andrew Johnson also has started 15 games in his career and will attempt to fill the shoes of Bushell.
• This was the Big East's top cover unit last year. The cornerbacks are good but not great. Fortunately this defense won't see the likes of too many talented quarterbacks on the schedule. Expect the high ranking stats to continue.

• Rookie kicker John Wallace booted 16 field goals to finish second in school history for three-pointers in a season. Despite missing four extra points he compensated with two game-winning field goals. As his confidence grows so will his value to this team.
• Walk-on punter Ryan Johnson doesn't boom the ball as evident in his 39.4 yards per attempt but he excelled at pinning opponents inside the 20 yard line.
• The return men have plenty of experience but up to this point have not provided anything exciting. Nor has the art of covering kicks and punts been anything special. There is plenty of room for growth in this phase of the special teams.