Cornerback room could be a strength for Louisville football in Year 2 under Jeff Brohm
For as much progress as Louisville football will have to make this spring, Cardinals defensive coordinator Ron English already views the cornerbacks as one of the defense's strengths.
The unit lost Jarvis Brownlee to the NFL draft but returned Quincy Riley and Aaron Williams while bringing in Tahveon “Duval” Nicholson, Corey Thornton and Tayon Holloway.
“Those guys can play now. They're dudes,” English said. “They don't shy away from contact, and they are competitive and all that, but watching them out there, we're as good at that position at a school as I've been (around) in a long time. Now, anything can happen. But I'm just saying right now that position is real. That's a real position for this team.”
Riley’s return was a huge boost for the cornerbacks after he had an option to turn pro. He wanted another year to develop, and English has the plan to make it happen. The Cardinals’ DC has challenged Riley to get bigger, stronger and more violent against blockers this year after a 2023 season in which he tied with defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte for the team's highest defensive grade (85.8).
Similarly, Thornton was the highest-graded defensive player for UCF (76.2) and tied for a team-high three interceptions as a four-year starter. Nicholson was a two-year starter for Illinois. Holloway left North Carolina after starting in six of 10 games played as a redshirt freshman. Having that many new players with starting experience enhances the DB room.
“It plays a major part having people that started at different places,” U of L safety Devin Neal said. “You just have that true experience in the game and knowing like the wear and tear, the exhaustion you feel throughout the game. I feel like everybody understanding and relating to that really just sets the tone for the season because everybody's prepared. You’ve got that experience, like just being at-war ready. So, I like it a lot.”
Besides having experienced players to bolster the room, English has high expectations for Williams, who redshirted last year. He took second-string reps during practice Tuesday and had a breakup on a deep pass.
A four-star prospect, the California native didn't allow a torn ACL to stop him from recording a 31-yard pick six to help St. John Bosco win the 2022 California Open Division championship. English called Williams’ championship performance “unbelievable” and said the redshirt freshman was one of the best high school players he’s ever seen.
“I said there's no way that guy has an ACL,” English recalled.
A deeper, more talented group of corners will be key for the Cardinals this season after they were thin at the position a year ago. Riley played a team-high 504 snaps. Storm Duck and Brownlee, who missed three games with a foot injury, played 269 and 318, respectively. After that, no other cornerback played more than 30 snaps.
That won’t be a problem this fall with expectations high.
“I wasn't just saying it. (After coaching at) Florida, Mississippi, this is one of the best corner rooms I've been around in a long time,” English said. “You’ve got five guys that can play.”
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville football: CBs could be strength in Year 2 under Jeff Brohm
