We move along in our spring series looking at the biggest positions to fill at every league school.
Up today: Louisville.
OUT: Dexter Heyman. The Cardinals were a solid defense in 2010 despite their youth, and a big reason why was the veteran leadership and consistency that Heyman brought to every game. In his second year as a starter, Heyman doubled his production -- with a team-leading 90 tackles, including 16 for a loss. Though he plays middle linebacker, he led the team with three interceptions -- a tribute to his great athleticism. For his efforts, Heyman made the Big East second team at the end of the season. There is one more thing to point out -- Heyman was the only senior to start every game for the Cardinals last season. So Louisville needs another veteran leader to step up on the defense as well.
IN: Preston Brown. This is a bit of a position change for Brown, who moves inside after starting at strongside linebacker last season. He had the best season of his career, which probably gives his coaches tremendous confidence that he can ease into the middle spot without too much trouble. Linebacker is a position where depth must be worked out, and there was no other veteran that could have been plugged into this spot -- the most critical on a defense. Mike Privott was the backup in the middle last season, but he hasn't seen significant game action, and is behind Brown heading into the spring. Brown tied for second on the team with 84 tackles, but how he goes about learning to play inside will be a huge story to follow this spring and into the fall.
More in this series
Up today: Louisville.
OUT: Dexter Heyman. The Cardinals were a solid defense in 2010 despite their youth, and a big reason why was the veteran leadership and consistency that Heyman brought to every game. In his second year as a starter, Heyman doubled his production -- with a team-leading 90 tackles, including 16 for a loss. Though he plays middle linebacker, he led the team with three interceptions -- a tribute to his great athleticism. For his efforts, Heyman made the Big East second team at the end of the season. There is one more thing to point out -- Heyman was the only senior to start every game for the Cardinals last season. So Louisville needs another veteran leader to step up on the defense as well.
IN: Preston Brown. This is a bit of a position change for Brown, who moves inside after starting at strongside linebacker last season. He had the best season of his career, which probably gives his coaches tremendous confidence that he can ease into the middle spot without too much trouble. Linebacker is a position where depth must be worked out, and there was no other veteran that could have been plugged into this spot -- the most critical on a defense. Mike Privott was the backup in the middle last season, but he hasn't seen significant game action, and is behind Brown heading into the spring. Brown tied for second on the team with 84 tackles, but how he goes about learning to play inside will be a huge story to follow this spring and into the fall.
More in this series
Andrea Adelson | email
College Football- ESPN.com Big East/Nation blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2010
- Wrote for The Orlando Sentinel
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
Matt Fortuna
Fortuna joined ESPN.com in 2011 after working for MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, where he covered college sports. He grew up in New York and is a Penn State graduate.
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