The Cardinal Countdown: 10 Days Until Kickoff

#10 Rodjay Burns

Class: Sophomore

Ht/Wt: 6-0/180

Position: Defensive Back

Hometown: Louisville, KY (Product of Trinity High School)

Twitter: @Roddyb_10

Thoughts: Remember last year when the Cards fought for Burns during the whole recruitment process, and then lost out on him at the last minute to Urban and Ohio State? Then remember how he played in seven games last year as a true freshman for a team in the running to win a championship and we were kind of bummed he decided to leave the state to go play in The Shoe? Well...

A few months ago (unfortunately due to the health of his father) Rodjay announced his intentions to return back home and play for the Cards via Instagram (still always say it in my Gorgui voice). A welcome sight for Cards fans who really wanted him, and hopefully some comfort for Rodjay and his family to have him back so close. From a football perspective Rodjay will sit out the 2017 season due to transfer rules and try and use that time to learn the defensive system and get to know his new team. Rodjays addition could not have come at a better time for the TaxBoys of the future as they will be loosing not only the Senior class (Tru, Ronald Walker, Chucky, and Cannon) but possibly Jaire Alexander as well. Adding an athlete like Burns should help minimize the dropoff in next years secondary and aid in cranking out continuous Top 20 Defenses here at Louisville for the next few seasons. Welcome aboard Rodjay, glad to have you back.

Sweet Tweet:

No tweets for Burns so I'm gonna treat him like a freshamn and shoot you a quick highlight video of what fans can look forward to seeing in 2018.

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#10 Jaire Alexander

Class: Junior

Ht/Wt: 5-11/192

Position: Defensive Back

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Twitter: @_10ville

Thoughts: Over the last three years I've been just as shocked as everyone else to see Jaire emerge as a defensive star for the Cards, garnering not only regional attention, but national attention as one of the best in the country. I'm also lying through my teeth because I TOLD YOU ALL he was gonna be a stud from Day 1. Literally, before he had played a snap in the red and black I told you he was going to be a star one day, and here we are.

Jaire was rated as one of the top corners in the country last season by numerous outlets, including Pro Football Focus, which graded him out as Top 5. His ability to provide coverage in open space, his speed, and his hands have all positioned him to be one of the top defensive players in the country once again. As good as he may be as a defensive back, his talents as a punt returner are equally impressive. Averaging 10.5yds per return in 2016 was good enough to place him at 15th in the country, and if I remember correctly he had a return for a touchdown last year as well...

Yeah, I could go for a couple more of those this season as well, if he's feeling frisky.

Jaire is listed on 5 National Award watch-lists heading into 2017. The Paul Hornung Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Lomardi Award, Bronko Nargurski Trophy, and the Bednarik Award all list Jaire as a preseason contender, in addition to his All-ACC nod and being a first team All-American via 247 Sports, Sports Illustrated and just announced yesterday, the Associate Press. We can't hide him any longer Cards fans, he's well known, and looks prepared to lockdown his side of the field once again. Enjoy his athleticism, his leadership, and his personality...this may be his last year on campus.

Sweet Tweet:

A quick glimpse into why Jaire is one of the more beloved guys on the team. If you have a few minutes do a YouTube search for Jaire and just sit back and enjoy. If it's a football clip, it's impressive, if it's an off the field clip, it will likely be funny. Special young man, glad he plays on my team.