Grantham Continues to Monitor Position Battles
April 08, 2015 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Spring practice is about new beginnings and a fresh start. With that being said, this time of year always brings about some exciting position battles for the University of Louisville football team.
With a number of starters gone from last year's team, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has enjoyed the competition this spring as almost all positions are relatively wide open.
"First of all, whether you are battling or not, you are battling every day to try and perfect your craft," Todd Grantham said. "Our corners are battling every day and are competing, and been seeing them do some solid things."
With the loss of both cornerbacks, those spots are wide open this spring. Sophomore Trumaine Washington has been a standout this spring with injuries to Shaq Wiggins and Cornelius Sturghill.
Washington had an interception in the scrimmage last Saturday, and sophomore De'Eric Culver also made some plays.
Besides losing both corners, the Cardinals have to replace both safeties for the second-straight season, but that proved advantageous because both starter's excelled.
This spring has allowed for good competition between Josh Harvey-Clemons, Chucky Williams and Zykesis Cannon.
"It's tough because you are starting over again," Grantham said. "We grade every practice on your production. At the end of the day, it's about making plays. We are grading every position each day to let them see where they are after each practice."
Despite the holes in the secondary, Grantham knows what he has upfront with guys like Sheldon Rankins. The all-conference performer a year ago, led the Cardinals in sacks with eight and tackles for loss with 13.0, but Grantham has a ton of respect for his work ethic.
"We have a lot of respect for what Sheldon Rankins has done," Grantrham said. "He is one of the leaders on defense. He comes to work every day. He is a guy who works to try to perfect his craft every day, and that's how you become a difference maker."
Tony Grantham begins his second season coaching the inside linebackers, and must be fortunate to have the deepest group on the defense, especially with a couple of youngsters who have stepped up.
James Burgess and Keith Kelsey are the two top returning tacklers, so everyone knows what those two playmakers can do, so Grantham took the opportunity to praise some of the youngsters.
"I've been really impressed with some of our young guys," Tony Grantham said. "I think Stacy Thomas has opened some eyes here in the first couple of weeks. He has the ability to being a cover linebacker, but can do somethings in the pass rush." Thomas was a valuable special teams performer last year and played sparingly at linebacker, but he has emerged this spring.
"I like his versatility," Tony Grantham said. "He is a guy who was playing outside, but we moved him inside last summer. He has picked up things really well. He is a smart guy that he's able to bounce around to a few different positions."
With just four practices left, there are still positions open, which will make for an interesting spring game on April 17. The Cardinals return to the field on Friday at 3:20 p.m.
