The Cardinal Countdown: 9 Days Until Kickoff

Let me get them (single) digits, girl. 9 DAYS!!!!

#9 C.J. Avery

Class: Junior

Ht/Wt: 5-11/221

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Grenada, MS

Twitter: @Averyy_Sports

Thoughts: CJ Avery has been contributing to this team since the day he stepped on campus. Playing in 22 of a possible 25 games in his career thus far Avery has helped make an impact on multiple levels. While Burns move is the more notable of the two lets not forget that Avery is also a transfer from the secondary, playing the majority of his high school ball at safety and his first year at Louisville in the same spot. On paper, having guys from the secondary add some bulk and move down to linebacker is a nice transition when you have the players to do it. You get the benefit of a player with experience out in coverage (watch out for those wheel routes!!) who can also play behind the line.

Avery was second on the team last year in tackles (56) including a few behind the line of scrimmage. Avery also added a couple interceptions to his stat line, including a great QB read and an athletic play early in the WKU contest.

Coach Dale Jones called Avery one of the most intelligent players on that side of the ball, as he seemingly always knows where he should be and what he should be doing in every scenario. Having guys like that on the field not only helps for the obvious reasons, but also helps getting other guys lined up properly and let guys know when mistakes were made. If I could adjust the fatigue sliders down to zero on Avery and Etheridge I’d feel extremely comfortable with our inside backers, I trust both of them that much. The problem of course is that they can’t play every down and Avery is going to have to share his knowledge with some of the second group to help create some depth. Running the 3-4 will probably funnel more plays to the inside of the field, and I love having Avery there to help shut it down.

Sweet Tweet:

This is your official countdown reminder that Game 1 is a blackout. Look at CJ right now. You want to be the goofball that wears a yellow shirt or a white shirt so you can “be different”? Prepare to have my mans come look for you after the game. Don’t be dumb. Just wear black. #DBDJWB