Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics
Brohm, Puryear Discuss Defensive Line Depth Heading into Season Opener
August 28, 2024 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the University of Louisville gears up for the 2024 season opener, head coach Jeff Brohm and defensive lineman Ramon Puryear, sheds light on the depth of the defensive line and what fans can expect from this key unit.
"I definitely think on defense we built a lot of depth on the defensive line," Brohm said. "It's our deepest position. We feel like we have numerous, capable young men to go in and compete at a high level."
The defensive line is led by three returning players – Ashton Gillotte, Dezmond Tell and Ramon Puryear. Gillotte is a preseason All-American, who made an impressive impact last season with 14.5 TFLs and 11.0 sacks, ranking eighth nationally.
"Ashton Gillotte has had a tremendous camp," Brohm noted. "He's hard to block, he is a force, and we have other players around him that have done well,"
Tell, who started all 14 games last season, contributed with 4.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks. Puryear, who started in five games and played in all 14, recorded 6.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks.
The line also benefits from returners Jared Dawson, who added 4.0 TFLs and 2.5 sacks last season and William Spencer and Adonijah Green, who both redshirted last year but are expected to make significant contributions.
In addition to the returning players, the team has strengthened the defensive line with six new transfers: Thor Griffith from Harvard, Jordan Guerad from FIU, Myles Jernigan from Cal, Richard Kinley from Middle Tennessee, Rene Konga from Rutgers and Tramel Logan from USF. These transfers bring an extensive amount of experience from their previous schools and are expected to significantly elevate the defensive line's performance for the upcoming season.
"Our guys have a ton of experience, a ton of production in the past from these guys, whether it was here or their previous schools. We want that defensive line unit to play well and produce," Brohm added.
The coaching staff must still determine playing time amongst the players, but the main focus remains on winning games. Each player's role will be adjusted as needed to help the team achieve success on the field.
Ramon Puryear has underscored that individual statistics are not that important to him; his primary focus is on securing wins, going to a bowl game, and helping his team return to the ACC Championship.
"In college you have to find a role and do that to the best of your ability," Puryear said. "So, if that's playing 10 snaps or 40 snaps, at the end of the day it is about getting the win and when we win, that takes care of everything so that's what it is all about."
The Cardinals opens the season on Saturday against Austin Peay at 12 p.m. ET in a game that can be seen on the ACC Network.
"I definitely think on defense we built a lot of depth on the defensive line," Brohm said. "It's our deepest position. We feel like we have numerous, capable young men to go in and compete at a high level."
The defensive line is led by three returning players – Ashton Gillotte, Dezmond Tell and Ramon Puryear. Gillotte is a preseason All-American, who made an impressive impact last season with 14.5 TFLs and 11.0 sacks, ranking eighth nationally.
"Ashton Gillotte has had a tremendous camp," Brohm noted. "He's hard to block, he is a force, and we have other players around him that have done well,"
Tell, who started all 14 games last season, contributed with 4.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks. Puryear, who started in five games and played in all 14, recorded 6.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks.
The line also benefits from returners Jared Dawson, who added 4.0 TFLs and 2.5 sacks last season and William Spencer and Adonijah Green, who both redshirted last year but are expected to make significant contributions.
In addition to the returning players, the team has strengthened the defensive line with six new transfers: Thor Griffith from Harvard, Jordan Guerad from FIU, Myles Jernigan from Cal, Richard Kinley from Middle Tennessee, Rene Konga from Rutgers and Tramel Logan from USF. These transfers bring an extensive amount of experience from their previous schools and are expected to significantly elevate the defensive line's performance for the upcoming season.
"Our guys have a ton of experience, a ton of production in the past from these guys, whether it was here or their previous schools. We want that defensive line unit to play well and produce," Brohm added.
The coaching staff must still determine playing time amongst the players, but the main focus remains on winning games. Each player's role will be adjusted as needed to help the team achieve success on the field.
Ramon Puryear has underscored that individual statistics are not that important to him; his primary focus is on securing wins, going to a bowl game, and helping his team return to the ACC Championship.
"In college you have to find a role and do that to the best of your ability," Puryear said. "So, if that's playing 10 snaps or 40 snaps, at the end of the day it is about getting the win and when we win, that takes care of everything so that's what it is all about."
The Cardinals opens the season on Saturday against Austin Peay at 12 p.m. ET in a game that can be seen on the ACC Network.
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