"I don't wanna compare anything to last year": Louisville DC Ron English likes his group's maturity and leadership

Louisville defensive coordinator Ron English had a tumultuous fall. 

The highs were high and the lows were low. From giving up single-digit points to Pittsburgh in the home finale to the 41-14 demolition over Kentucky, there were moments where the Cardinals’ defensive unit was stout and rigid. 

However, time and time again, the defense gave up big plays in the 52-45 loss against No. 6 Miami and committed head-scratching penalties down the stretch, similar to those at Stanford. 

There was just something that seemed to be missing with his unit. To the point where English was moved back and forth between the booth and the sideline due to communication issues. Louisville needed a defensive leader. The Cards needed more vocal playmakers on that side of the ball. 

This fall, there’s optimism that head coach Jeff Brohm’s defense won’t lag too far behind his offense. 

Louisville’s defense has added vocal leaders.  

“I got two guys that I’m going to be coaching for three years…like an Antonio (Watts) or like a D’Angelo (Hutchinson). So, they know the defense, so they’re very vocal,” English said to the media last week with a sigh of relief. “And then JoJo (Evans) has come in here and kinda become a leader on that back end. Even some of the corners like Rodney (Johnson), but we’ve done a good job getting them all to communicate with each other.” 

“We’ve emphasized it, we’ve gotten it. It’s really helped us.” 

Sure, no defense is perfect. But getting these guys to communicate with each other is the first step and one that’s going in the right direction. 

Guys like Hutchinson and Watts get it. 

They’ve worked their way into playing time and being leaders, and most importantly, English trusts them. 

“I’m happy for those two guys,” English said. “You guys know, they haven’t been the starters until last year…I thought when I came here…he’s (Watts) an NFL guy.” 

“And he’s a good person, and he’s a good leader.”

Watts, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior STAR (S/LB hybrid), is primed for a breakout season. He has a defensive back skillset, with pro-level size, and after totaling a career-best 51 tackles a season ago, he’s going to be a playmaker for Louisville’s defense in 2025. Just look at the Washington game from a season ago, he saved the day in the Sun Bowl with his deflection in the end zone. Expect more of that in 2025. 

“I smile every time I talk about those two guys, because I just feel blessed and fortunate to have coached them for so long,” he added. 

It’s also an excellent sign that transfers in the secondary, like Evans and Johnson, are taking over the back end. 

“JoJo is a guy who was not used to hard coaching and being demanded to get to the football and finish plays,” English added. “At times he could deflect, so…’ if you want to play at the next level this is what it takes and what you gotta do’…he’s bought into what I’m selling, now he’s just gotta get better at it.” 

Louisville’s newest starting safety, Evans, comes in from Florida International, where he was named first team All-Conference USA in 2024 and finished eighth in the conference in tackles (93) and picked off two passes. 

The skillset is there for him to be productive; Louisville just needs him to make plays. 

When you look at the motto of this year’s Cardinals defense, it comes down to being aggressive, physical, and preventing the big play. English’s group has to keep things in front of them this year if they are to compete for an ACC title or even a College Football Playoff berth. 

“I don’t wanna compare anything to last year, this is a whole different football team,” English said.

When it comes to this year’s defense, there are a lot more positives to the group than there were entering last year. English would agree. 

“I like the fact that they are unselfish, that they like each other. I think they trust the coaches, I think they try to do what we ask them to do. I think they put a lot of time and effort into football…because, again, we’ve thrown a lot at them.”

“They’re playing together, as a unit. And that’s always strong as you’re playing as one.” 

In today’s day and age, it’s not just about talent. These guys have to gel and have maturity. 

On paper, English may have the best group he’s had since arriving at Louisville, and with communication and leadership being the first step in an improved defense — the Cards are trending in the right direction.