2004 Cardinal Football Preview - Linebackers
August 18, 2004 | Football
Aug. 18, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - If Louisville is going to improve this year on defense, the Cardinals need the linebackers to step up and have a big season. This unit lost one senior starter in Rod Day, but returns two other starters in senior Robert McCune in the middle and junior Brandon Johnson at outside linebacker. McCune, a third team All-C-USA selection, posted a career-high 143 tackles in 13 games. He posted eight games of 10 or more tackles, including 19 in an overtime loss to USF. McCune is one of the strongest and fastest players on the squad, and will need to have another big year for the Cardinals. Johnson is a lanky backer who was used a lot as an outside rusher a year ago. He recorded 50 tackles, but was also third on the team in sacks with three. The weakside linebacker spot will be wide open with a pair of youngsters competing for time this spring. The coaches are extremely high on converted quarterback and red-shirt freshman Preston Smith. Recruited to play quarterback, Smith was moved to linebacker mid-way through the season and could be one of the starters. Sophomore Abe Brown moved to outside linebacker in the spring and gave the coaching staff a glimpse of his abilities. Brown has bulked up and will be a huge factor on the defensive side of the ball. At 6-4, Brown gives the Cardinals a big and athletic body on defense, which could only help this unit. Red-shirt freshman Malik Jackson, who played safety last season, is a hard-hitting strong player who the coaching staff expects big things from in 2004. Jackson showed on the scout team last season that he'll deliver a big hit on anyone, and is expected to be a factor this fall for playing time. Senior Jonathan Jackerson and red-shirt freshman Matt Sanders worked well in the spring and will add depth to the linebacker position. Jackerson played at linebacker at times, but was a big factor on special teams. He recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown in the Cardinals' 40-24 win over Kentucky. Freshmen Maurice Mitchell from Glasgow High School in Glasgow, Ky., Johnnie Burn from Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, Fla, and Lamar Myles from Winterhaven, Fla., could step right in and make this unit even stronger.
