Cort Dennison Excited About His Depth at the Outsisde Linebacker Position
July 14, 2020 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was no secret the University of Louisville defense was depleted when head coach Scott Satterfield took over the program in 2019.
Coming off one of the worst overall defensive performances in school history in 2018, the Cardinals made drastic improvement last year, and continues to build depth on the defensive side of the ball.
"We are definitely in a much better place," co-defensive coordinator Cort Dennison said. "We aren't where we want to be at this point, but I like what we are building on defense right now. I'm excited to be able to get these guys on the field in August.
Dennison, who is one of the most tenured defensive coaches, he's encouraged where his outside linebackers stand as the team begins to prepare for the start of camp in early August.
"One of the main ways has been mentally since we haven't been able to do things on the field, we have been able to meet and do things off the field," Dennison said. "Anytime you can get in the meeting room and expand your knowledge of the game with the players, the playbook, you're improving, you're gaining ground on things."
Despite not having spent much time on the field practicing, Dennison likes where the defense is at this point in July.
After finishing 8-5 last season, with a Music City Bowl win over Mississippi State, the Cardinals return a solid group of outside linebackers led by upperclassmen Rodjay Burns, Yasir Abdullah and Nick Okeke. For the first time in a couple of seasons, the Cardinals have depth and versatility on the second group, which was severely lacking when this coaching staff took over.
"It allows you to obviously play multiple players, keep people fresh and when guys do come out of the game, that have more experience than others in past seasons, you can throw somebody in there who you are comfortable putting in the game," Dennison said. "It creates a comfort factor for a coach knowing there are multiple positions who can do things for you."
For the first time in the last five seasons, the Cardinals will play for the same defensive coordinator for the second-straight season. Bryan Brown was the fourth different defensive coordinator the Cardinals played for over the last four seasons, and having Brown return gives the Cardinals some consistency for the first time.
"Continuity equals success," Dennison said. "Mentally our guys are ready to go. This will be the second season in the same system, which will make them play faster because they finally know where to go. When you are changing coordinators every year you're never going to get comfortable with what you are doing because you are learning something new and you can't play fast. The more continuity you get, the more guys around one another are making the checks, not looking around and wondering what if."
Burns, who made the move to linebacker last season, was second on the team in tackles last season with 83. The former Trinity High product is a versatile linebacker that made the switch from defensive back to the outside position. Abdullah and Okeke will nail down the other linebacker position, which is seen as more of a player who rushes the passer.
"You look at Roday, and not only did he have to learn a new scheme, he had to learn a new position," Dennison said. "He used his athletic ability to make plays, but he knows that he needs to be stronger to set the edge. I know he's added some size and I'm looking forward to see his development this season."
Abdullah, who Dennison said is one of the most athletic players on the defense, made huge strides last season after taking over as the starter during the second half of the season.
"I like what he did last season," Dennison said. "Yasir is extremely athletic and gives our defense a lot of speed. He will be able to play even faster this season as he understands what is expected of him heading into camp."
With Burns Okeke and Abdullah, Louisville has leadership, knowledge, and production. The three combined for 152 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and four sacks.
While the frontline group makes the headlines, the Cardinals are building a solid group behind them.
Marvin Dallas, a junior college transfer, is slotted behind Burns. Dennison was high on freshman Zay Peterson who earned practice time during the spring and also praised Thurman Geathers and freshman Kameron, who will crack the lineup.
Coming off one of the worst overall defensive performances in school history in 2018, the Cardinals made drastic improvement last year, and continues to build depth on the defensive side of the ball.
"We are definitely in a much better place," co-defensive coordinator Cort Dennison said. "We aren't where we want to be at this point, but I like what we are building on defense right now. I'm excited to be able to get these guys on the field in August.
Dennison, who is one of the most tenured defensive coaches, he's encouraged where his outside linebackers stand as the team begins to prepare for the start of camp in early August.
"One of the main ways has been mentally since we haven't been able to do things on the field, we have been able to meet and do things off the field," Dennison said. "Anytime you can get in the meeting room and expand your knowledge of the game with the players, the playbook, you're improving, you're gaining ground on things."
Despite not having spent much time on the field practicing, Dennison likes where the defense is at this point in July.
After finishing 8-5 last season, with a Music City Bowl win over Mississippi State, the Cardinals return a solid group of outside linebackers led by upperclassmen Rodjay Burns, Yasir Abdullah and Nick Okeke. For the first time in a couple of seasons, the Cardinals have depth and versatility on the second group, which was severely lacking when this coaching staff took over.
"It allows you to obviously play multiple players, keep people fresh and when guys do come out of the game, that have more experience than others in past seasons, you can throw somebody in there who you are comfortable putting in the game," Dennison said. "It creates a comfort factor for a coach knowing there are multiple positions who can do things for you."
For the first time in the last five seasons, the Cardinals will play for the same defensive coordinator for the second-straight season. Bryan Brown was the fourth different defensive coordinator the Cardinals played for over the last four seasons, and having Brown return gives the Cardinals some consistency for the first time.
"Continuity equals success," Dennison said. "Mentally our guys are ready to go. This will be the second season in the same system, which will make them play faster because they finally know where to go. When you are changing coordinators every year you're never going to get comfortable with what you are doing because you are learning something new and you can't play fast. The more continuity you get, the more guys around one another are making the checks, not looking around and wondering what if."
Burns, who made the move to linebacker last season, was second on the team in tackles last season with 83. The former Trinity High product is a versatile linebacker that made the switch from defensive back to the outside position. Abdullah and Okeke will nail down the other linebacker position, which is seen as more of a player who rushes the passer.
"You look at Roday, and not only did he have to learn a new scheme, he had to learn a new position," Dennison said. "He used his athletic ability to make plays, but he knows that he needs to be stronger to set the edge. I know he's added some size and I'm looking forward to see his development this season."
Abdullah, who Dennison said is one of the most athletic players on the defense, made huge strides last season after taking over as the starter during the second half of the season.
"I like what he did last season," Dennison said. "Yasir is extremely athletic and gives our defense a lot of speed. He will be able to play even faster this season as he understands what is expected of him heading into camp."
With Burns Okeke and Abdullah, Louisville has leadership, knowledge, and production. The three combined for 152 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and four sacks.
While the frontline group makes the headlines, the Cardinals are building a solid group behind them.
Marvin Dallas, a junior college transfer, is slotted behind Burns. Dennison was high on freshman Zay Peterson who earned practice time during the spring and also praised Thurman Geathers and freshman Kameron, who will crack the lineup.
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