We are quickly approaching the 2022 football season. We continue to get fans set for the season by breaking down the roster one position at a time. In the latest preview, we take a look at the defensive backs.
If you missed any of our previous position previews, click the links below:
We also released the latest edition of insider notes this week, which you can read by clicking here.
Reasons to be Optimistic
I'm going on the record right now: the secondary will be the most-improved position group on the team, specifically the cornerbacks.
Let's start by breaking down the corners --- With Kei'Trel Clark going down with an injury, Louisville played Chandler Jones, Greedy Vance, and Trey Franklin primarily. Greedy Vance is now at Florida State, and was listed as the backup at nickel for the Seminoles.
Chandler Jones and Trey Franklin will more than likely be backups for Louisville this year, not because they did anything wrong, but due to the fact Louisville brought in some real talent through the transfer portal.
All indications out of fall camp are that Quincy Riley and Jarvis Brownlee are the real deal on the outside. It's been said that Riley's ball skills are on another level, and Brownlee brings an edge to the secondary that Louisville simply hasn't had.
Sources tell CardinalSports.com that Riley and Brownlee have been so good on the outside that Kei'Trel Clark will play in the slot.
I feel very comfortable with Riley, Brownlee, and Clark, and with Louisville having three reliable corners, I'd expect much more man-to-man, and much more pressing off the ball.
With the safeties, one starting spot is solidified with veteran Kenderick Duncan returning for another season. It sounds like Josh Minkins will get the first look at the other safety spot, with MJ Griffin and Nicario Harper also in the mix.
Chandler Jones has the ability to play safety in addition to corner, so look for Louisville to play guys all over the field given the versatility they now have.
Reasons to be Pessimistic
I'm fully confident in Louisville's starting corners. Between Riley, Brownlee, and Clark, you have three guys who are all good enough to be a No. 1 corner. Chandler Jones and Trey Franklin both played an ample amount of snaps for Louisville last year, and should be capable backups. That's five corners on the roster who all have real game experience.
I do have a bit of concern with the safety group outside of Kenderick Duncan. Josh Minkins has just never looked comfortable, given he's had limited opportunities since he's been here.
The early buzz out of spring practice was that MJ Griffin had made significant strides, but I haven't heard his name come up as much during fall camp. The staff really likes Nicario Harper, but he may also play the CARD spot. Maybe Ben Perry could play CARD and safety, too. Bryan Brown has said multiple times that Chandler Jones can play safety, so that is also something to watch.
Louisville brought in a pair of nice high school prospects at safety in D'Angelo Hutchinson and Jeremiah Caldwell.
Overall, I expect the secondary to be a lot better, giving Bryan Brown the ability to be more aggressive with the front seven.
