Hearns' Production Helps Raise Sack Totals

Over the last three seasons, pressuring the quarterback has been a staple of the University of Louisville defense under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

The Cardinals have used an attacking style of defense finish in the top 15 in sacks, and be one of the most dominating defenses in the country.

With senior Devonte Fields, who recorded 11.5 sacks last year and was an all-ACC honoree, on one side. The Cardinals were looking for another pass rusher off the edge to replace the production lost with the injury to Trevon Young, who will redshirt this season after suffering a crippling injury in the Music City Bowl. last season.

When the decision came in July for Young to sit out, it was a perfect opportunity for junior James Hearns to seize the opportunity to showcase his abilities, and that's exactly what the Tallahassee, Fla., native has done in the first three games.

Playing mainly on third-down last season, Hearns didn't have much production in his limited role. However, in three games as a starter, he's the team leader in sacks with 3.5 and two forced fumbles, and has displayed a quickness to get off the ball and harass the quarterback.

"I think I'm making the most of my opportunity," Hearns said. "This is just what I planned on doing before the season started when they told me I was going to be the starter, so I'm just here to give it my all, and be the best player I can be."

Playing as an every-down player, Hearns has helped the Cardinals record 13 sacks thus far, including a season-best five in the 63-20 rout of No. 2 Florida State last week. It was something that Hearns expected heading into the game.

"I think we did a good job of executing the game plan," Hearns said of the FSU win. "Coach (Grantham) and the staff had a good one drawn up for us, and us as players just had to go execute everything what they called."

"I think we got some pressure on them early that set the tempo for the rest of the game, so I think we just carried out the game plan we had."

Coming to Louisville as a defensive tackle, Hearns bulked up to 285 pounds, but worked hard to get his weight down, which has certainly helped his production.

The product of Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla., moved to an outside linebacker position in Grantham's scheme two years ago, and it's benefitted Hearns the most of any player.

One of the reasons for Hearns' increased production, has been the decrease in his weight. Coming in at 285 pounds, Hearns has slimmed down over the last two seasons, and the loss of weight has made him quicker off the ball and more slippery off the edge.

"I feel good," Hearns said of his smaller stature. "I think playing that position actually helped me learn the playbook, because I have kind of been everywhere on the defense, so I kind of gave me a good grasp, which actually allows me to play multiple positions now because I kind of know what everybody does."

Hearns has benefitted the most from Grantham's scheme and presence on the staff. The long-time defensive coordinator loves to attack, which plays right into Hearns' skill set.

"It feels good," Hearns said. "Throughout my career I've been trying to find a positon or find a place that best fits me, and Coach Grantham and his defense, this is the best position for me, and I think I've been pretty good at it thus far."

Even though Hearns is off to a fast start, he knows he's fortunate to have one of the best passers in the game in Fields, a preseason All-American, on the other side, but also a ton of experience on the entire defense.

"It's great," Hearns said of Fields. "It's kind of one of those things where you don't have to worry because you know how coaches say trust the guy next to you. I think not just me and Fields, but the whole defense in general. We really trust the people around us to make their play. Or if the play goes the other way we know we have guys over there that could make the play too."

University of Louisville Athletics

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Devonte Fields

James Hearns

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