Louisville football: Why return of CJ Avery is a big deal

Louisville football linebacker CJ Avery will return for a fifth season. Why this a huge deal for the Cards.

Good news on a Friday? I’ll take it 10/10 times. Especially when it comes as an announcement that a key piece for Louisville football will return in 2021.

CJ Avery came to Louisville as a highly-touted four-star safety with a bright future. That is a reputation that he’s lived up to despite numerous big changes. Playing for three defensive coordinators in four years at two different positions, Avery has developed into a key member of the defense, leading the team in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

While most expected 2020 to be his last season, the waiver granted by the NCAA before the season opened up an opportunity to return for one more year should he so choose. Several Louisville football players have made the decision to forgo the extra year and declare for the draft, including fellow linebacker Rodjay Burns & cornerback Marlon Character. While others have opted to transfer for their final season of eligibility, such as Jawon Pass and Russ Yeast.

Avery is the first Cardinal to return, and while he’s likely not the last, he’ll 100 percent be the most important piece returning out of the graduating class.

Why it’s a smart move

Playing in 41 games over four years, CJ Avery has developed into one of the more productive players in the ACC. He’s been responsible for 252 total tackles in that time (154 of which are solo) while accumulating 5.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and three interceptions.

That is a decent resume for most linebackers. For Avery, though, his prospects of playing in the league hinge on his size. Not only is Avery new to the position, but he’s also considered to be undersized by NFL standards. That doesn’t mean that he’s not draft worthy or completely inept of becoming an NFL player. But what it does mean is that Avery will have to show he’s capable of doing other things

At 5’11, 230-pounds, Avery might not fit the exact description of what the NFL is looking for at inside linebacker. Though, what he lacks in size, he makes up for in smarts, athleticism, and speed.

It’s clear to everyone that Avery has developed into a solid tackler and a big asset in the running game.

When he does make the leap to the NFL, there are going to be a ton of questions. Scouts will knock his size and ability to play middle linebacker at the next level.

It’s clear at this point that Avery felt one more season could push him up draft boards. Now, he will get the opportunity to do so while earning a Master’s degree.

Where Avery can improve in 2021

So, given that Avery led Louisville football in tackles by 20 in 2020, where can he go from here?

To start, I feel Avery needs to improve his pass-rush ability. As a linebacker with average size, Avery has to be able to make up for that by using speed and mismatches to his advantage. Avery had 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks last season. To improve his draft stock, he has to do a better job at being a disruptor in opposing backfields; especially in a system predicated on linebacker mobility.

Secondly, Avery needs to show better coverage ability. Although Louisville boasted above-average speed at linebacker in 2020, the Cardinals were picked on way too much in pass coverage. In a 3-4 defense, having an extra linebacker is great, but that means 1 or 2 linebackers will always be in pass coverage, and even more backers will be in coverage in nickel situations. Avery has to show that he is able to drop back in coverage and be a problem for teams across the middle.

How Louisville football benefits

So, what’s in it for Louisville football?

Well, obviously, to start, Louisville gets back its leading tackler at a position that graduated its top three tacklers. Avery is exactly what defensive coordinators Bryan Brown and Cort Dennison want in the middle. To get your leading tackler and prototype of what you want to see in future recruits back is literally a once-in-a-lifetime gift.

Louisville also gets veteran leadership and depth back. The Cardinals have some future stars waiting in the wings, but having Avery back will serve as a great opportunity to mentor some of Louisville’s younger defensive players.

Getting Avery back is yet another step towards a Louisville football defense that quietly became a really solid unit in the back half of 2020.