The biggest question mark for the 2009 Louisville football Cardinals could very well be the defensive backfield. The Cardinals are very low on experience, but not low on talent. New cornerbacks coach Larry Slade will have his hands full. Slade came to the Cardinals after the 2008 season from Tennessee and is widely regarded as a great get for the Cardinals. He also has a good recruiting ties on the east coast and has produced results there already.

Even with talented players at the cornerback position, the Cardinals will be relying heavily on several guys who have never played one down of college football. The exception is junior cornerback Johnny Patrick.

Without question, Johnny Patrick, 6-0 185 lbs, will be Louisville’s shutdown corner. Originally recruited to be a wide receiver, Patrick converted to corner in 2007 and immediately showed the ability to play that position. He appeared in nine games in ‘07 and started four of them.

In 2008, Patrick really came into his own and showed himself to be a very consistent performer. In Louisville’s win over 14th ranked South Florida, Patrick had the game winning interception late in the 4th quarter. Johnny Patrick is one of the fastest players on the team and can be counted on as a significant contributor for 2009.

Junior Johnny Patrick has the ability to be an All-Big East selection at cornerback

Fighting out for the other spot at corner are JUCO transfer Preston Pace and sophomore Karldell Dunning. Pace, 6-1 197 lbs, came to Louisville from Butte Community College where he won the JUCO National Title. Pace is a junior and has great speed as he has been clocked at a 4.35 40 time. In twelve games during his last JUCO season, opponents only completed ten passes all year on Pace.

Preston Pace enjoys himself as he plays with some balls on Media Day

Karldell Dunning, a 6-0 175 sophomore from Belle Glade, Florida, has seen significant action for the Cardinals and regardless whether or not he starts, will see playing time. Due to major injuries on the defense, Dunning had to burn his redshirt and appeared in seven games in 2008 as a true freshman. He gradually got better as the season went on and showed the coaching staff he has the ability to contribute.

Another name to watch is redshirt freshman Zed Evans. Evans, 5-11 173 lbs, possesses blazing speed and is still learning the cornerback position. My guess is, barring injury, Evans will see minimal time early and gradually see more as the season progresses. As for who starts at the corner spots, my money is on Patrick and Pace, but expect to see plenty of Dunning and Evans as well.

At the safety spot, new safeties coach Antonio Goss has more experience to work with than coach Slade. Goss came to Louisville from Middle Tennessee State where he coached cornerbacks. Goss played seven years in the NFL and earned two Super Bowl rings while a member of the San Francisco 49ers. Goss is also a special teams whiz and was chosen by his teammates to represent them as the special teams captain in Super Bowl XXIX.

But as far as the safeties go, Goss will have experience to go along with talent. Senior Daniel Covington finished second on the team in tackles in 2008 with 66, showed the willingness to hit and hit hard, and performed at a high level. After the 2008 season, it appeared Covington would have a lock on the starting free safety spot, but in fall practice he is being challenged by JUCO transfer Terence Simien.

Covington making one of Louisville's four tackles against Rutgers last season

Simien came to the Cardinals from San Mateo, California and has really impressed the coaching staff in fall practice. Simien is a big guy at 6-3 and 210 lbs, but has good speed and like fellow safety Covington, Simien will hit you with prejudice. Terence will have three years to play his final two eligible seasons. Most people around the program have confidence in both these young men and now feel the free safety spot is no longer a concern and may actually be a strength.

At the strong safety spot, it appears to be a two horse battle between Richard Raglin and Chaz Thompson. Raglin, 6-0 200 lbs, is a fifth year senior and has shown in the past the ability to perform at a high level. He’s good in coverage and has no problem hitting people. Thompson, 6-1 200 lbs, is a former JUCO transfer entering his senior season for the Cardinals. While he’s seen most of his playing time on special teams, Thompson is being counted on to provide depth in the defensive backfield. He is capable, but needs snaps to get better.

By the end of the season and barring major injuries, I expect the secondary to be a strength. Patrick is good, Pace and Dunning have the ability, Simien and Covington are good, and if Raglin is 100% he’s good as well. For Louisville to reach a bowl game, the inexperienced players in the secondary will need to be solid sooner rather than later. The good news is they have the ability, it’s just a matter of when the light comes on.