The Cardinal Countdown: 44 Days Until Kickoff

#44 Dorian Jones

Class: RS Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-0/230

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Plantation, FL

Twitter: @Deebo4x4

Thoughts: If you want to know what the future of the Louisville defense looks like, look no further than Mr. Dorian Jones. The IU flip on signing day is entering his third season on campus but still has four year left to play. Jones tore his ACL back in 2019 and suffered some dings last year but looked healthy as the season came to a close. Dorian got reps on special teams and turned a few heads last year while showcasing his “hit stick” capabilities.

Jones is likely still backing up Monty Montgomery in the middle but will be a solid chunk of the rotation at linebacker in my opinion. As much as I like the offensive line on the other side of the ball the backers are almost equally as deep having 6-7 guys they feel confident putting out there. The irony in Jones playing behind Monty is that Montgomery was the relative unknown a couple seasons ago that was just blasting folks and prompting the “whose that dude” conversations across the fanbase. I’ve got a feeling Dorian is going to have that same type season in 2021.

Sweet Tweet:

Told you my man likes to knock heads.

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#44 Francis Sherman

Class: RS Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-3/237

Position: Tight End

Hometown: Bay Village, OH

Twitter: @Francis2Sherman

Thoughts: I’ve got to admit something to you all. I’m a huge Marshon Ford fan, I really like Dez Melton, I just told y’all about my Duane Martin hype yesterday, and now I’m gonna drop a Francis Sherman BFF post. I may have a problem with my affinity for tight ends (save the jokes). Sherman got some run last year in a decent number of games but kind of bust on the scene with his filler role for Ean Pfeifer in the final contest of the season. He was making grabs, pancaking the defense, catching TD’s, running trick plays….the kid was all over the place.

You need a guy to burry the edge rusher and embarrass his family name? I gotchu!

You need a guy to slip through the linemen and get wide open in the endzone? I gotchu!

You need a ball carrier on a fake field goal? I gotchu!

You need someone to make Card Chronicle’s own Conor Shea go “full Tom Crean”? I gotchu!

I think the Cards have two solid options at the tradition tight end spot with Melton and Sherman and I honestly think we see a decent mix of both this season. I’m excited about some of the new weapons the Cards can use this year, and Sherman is one of them.

Sweet Tweet:

[grabs a pencil, pulls out calendar and turns to October….]