Louisville football linebackers enter Year 2 of Jeff Brohm era in better position

The 2023 season was fun for Mark Ivey.

Although it was his fifth year at Louisville, it was his first time coaching linebackers since his second season at Appalachian State in 2013. And there were plenty of questions about the group the former U of L defensive line coach was tasked with leading.

But the questions — that came with learning a new system and replacing its two starters — were quickly answered. Linebackers T.J. Quinn (team-leading 92 tackles in 2023) and Jaylin Alderman (62) were two of the Cardinals' top four tacklers.

The group enters this season in a much better position and with an opportunity to be one of the strongest units on Louisville's defense.

“We've been in this defense for a year, so now, like when they’re throwing different stuff at us and we're getting a new install, we've done it before,” Quinn said. “And also, we know what the coaches want, like, what they expect from us. So, it just helps just being in the system for a year.”

While Ivey is pleased with what he has seen from the unit this spring, he'd still like to see more energy and physicality from the group.

“They understand if we want to get to where we want to get, which is not a runner up selection anywhere, then we've got to improve,” Ivey said.

The unit also enters the 2024 season with more depth. Texas A&M transfer Jurriente Davis is one of the group's biggest additions. Entering his sixth season of college football, at his fifth school, he was once recruited by Ivey as a high school player from Greensboro, North Carolina. Davis was limited to playing only three games last season for the Aggies.

“He has some twitch and some strength and some playmaking ability,” Ivey said. “So, if he'll continue with that attitude, he's going to be, I think, another key component to our success next fall with his continued growth.”

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 LBs enter Year 2 under Jeff Brohm in better spot