2005 Cardinal Football Outlook - Defensive Line
August 23, 2005 | Football
Aug. 23, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With the Louisville football team's 2005 season-opener at Kentucky fast-approaching, UofLSports.com will be providing a daily preview of the Cards' first season in the BIG EAST Conference. Today's seventh installment looks at the Cards' defensive line.
2005 Louisville Defensive Line
Starting defensive end Marcus Jones and defensive tackle Bobby Leffew will be the only starters missing from last year's starting lineup and the Cardinals have some talented, experienced players ready to step up for defensive line coach Kevin Wolthausen.
Senior Elvis Dumervil is the leader on the line. At defensive end last season, Dumervil led the Cardinals with 10 sacks off the edge and is considered one of the toughest players to block. At 6-0, Dumervil is built low to the ground and has the tenacity to get to the quarterback. Dumervil recorded a career-best 52 tackles and 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Backing up Dumervil this fall, will likelybe junior-college transfer Zach Anderson. Anderson is a physical end, who will give the Cardinals experience and size on the line.
Senior Chad Rimpsey and sophomore Brandon Cox will battle at the other defensive end position. Rimpsey goes about his work in a business-like fashion. In three years at U of L, Rimpsey continues to step on the field and makes plays. The 6-3, 244-pounder had a game to remember against Cincinnati when he recorded a career-high five tackles, blocked a kick and forced two fumbles. He ended the season with 19 tackles and recorded a pair of sacks.
Sophomore Brandon Cox has a load of potential and is the player of the future at defensive end for the Cardinals. At 6-3, 255 pounds, Cox has good speed and ability. As a true freshman, Cox played in 10 games, but earned more playing time as the season went along.
For the last couple of years, depth defensive tackle position has been a problem, but the Cardinals should be strong there this season. Senior Montavious Stanley is a big and agile tackle, who begins his fourth year as a major contributor. The 6-2, 305-pounder recorded 30 tackles and a career-best four sacks. Stanley also recovered two fumbles, including one for a touchdown against Tulane.
Junior Amobi Okoye continues to develop and grow into the position. Still only 18 years of age heading into the fall, Okoye is over 315 pounds and has steadily improved by each game. Playing 11 games in 2004, Okoye recorded a career-high 26 tackles and one sack. He recorded a career-high seven tackles in his first collegiate start against Army.
Backing up Okoye is a talented red-shirt freshman in Adrian Grady. Another 300-pounder, Grady gives the Cardinals size up front, but he needs this spring to continue his development and learn Cassity's defensive scheme. Grady impressed the coaches with his work on the scout team and look forward to watching him this fall. Red-shirt-freshman Maurice Mitchell has also moved to the down position and could see a lot of action in 2005.
Hailing from Glasgow, Ky., Mitchell used last year to develop his game and could add much-needed depth at defensive end. Mitchell, who showed promise last year, has good speed and size and benefitted from a full set of spring practices.
