Over the past few years, the linebacker group at Louisville has been very strong. With the names of Keith Kelsey, Devonte Fields, and Josh Harvey-Clemons now gone from the team, can Louisville continue their trend with elite linebackers?
The talent is there to do so, led by Stacy Thomas and James Hearns. Thomas, a 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior, has the experience and talent to produce at the highest levels. This past season as a starter, he was second on the team with 85 tackles and those numbers could increase in 2017. Hearns is another senior that will play as an outside linebacker and pass rusher (more at defensive end), coming off a season in which he had 43 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 tackles for loss in 2016.
Those two names will be key to this group for the defense, with their leadership and vocal awareness on the field; especially helping out the defensive line that will struggle with depth this season.
With Thomas being really the go-to guy though at the linebacker position, the Louisville staff will be looking at others to step up. Junior’s London Iakopo and Isaac Stewart will also get significant time on the field, with Iakopo being tabbed in early as a starter at outside linebacker. He will be looking to get back on the field after suffering an injury four games into the season.
Stewart will be a key component at middle linebacker as well behind Thomas. Last year, he saw action on the field and recorded 26 tackles, a career best. He will certainly see more time on the field and provide depth at the position.
Khane Pass, a sophomore 6-foot-1, 211-pound prospect, is notched in as the other outside linebacker on the early depth chart, with freshman C.J. Avery and sophomore Lamarques Thomas behind him.
