2009 Louisville Football Positional Preview: Linebackers

The strength of the Louisville defense is no doubt the linebacking corps. Defensive coordinator Brent Guy doubles as linebackers coach and will have several proven playmakers at his disposal in the middle of the defense. Leading the linebackers is senior Jon Dempsey.

Jon Dempsey came to Louisville as a JUCO transfer from College of the Sequoias and made an immediate impact on the field. Dempsey stepped right in and became a second team All-Big East performer. Dempsey showed good speed and quickness, and the ability to tackle in the open field. He finished the season with 80 tackles and will now move to middle linebacker in 2009. Dempsey has also turned into one of the more vocal leaders on this team and I expect him to have a big year.

Jon Dempsey will make a push for first team All-Big East

Antwon Canady joins Dempsey at the linebacking spot and also had a fine 2008 season. Canady, 6-0 244 lbs, has good speed and seems to always be around the football. He appeared in eleven games in 2008 and started six. Canady has impressed coaches in fall practice and appears to be in good shape for a starting spot.

Brandon Heath has been a curious player during his time at Louisville. Heath, a 4-star safety and ESPN Top 100 player out of high school, was a signing day coup by the Cardinals in 2006. After redshirting in 2006, he appeared in eleven games at the safety spot in 2007, but played sparingly recording only ten tackles all season. In 2008, Heath played in only nine games due to injury.

After the 2008 season, Heath made the switch to the linebacker spot. Heath has good size at 6-1 and 220 lbs and has a reputation for hitting people, but his inability to get on the field consistently has been puzzling. Heath had a good Spring and appears to improve as fall practice continues. It will be interesting to see if he starts to show the talent we all heard about out of high school.

Chris Campa will also see major time at linebacker and if 2008 was any indication, he will be a big time contributor. Campa came to the Cardinals in 2008 out of Butler County Community College, immediately found his way onto the field and shored up the linebackers. He is a tough competitor and plays very physical. He did not seem to have a hard time adjusting to major college football and I look for him to have an even better year.

Linebackers Jon Dempsey, Antwon Canday, and Chris Campa

Others who will see time include CJ Peake, Josh McDonald, Mike Privott, and local product Stephen Garr. Louisville has proven talent at the linebacking spot, but maybe more importantly they have depth there. When the Cardinals are on defense look for the linebackers to make a lot of plays.