3 biggest surprises for Louisville football through seven games

We take a look at the three biggest surprises through seven games for the Louisville football team.

The 2016 season has been full of ups and downs for the Louisville football team. However, there has been much more to celebrate then there is to complain about. An Ohio state loss launched the Cardinals back into the fifth spot in the country and has Cardinals’ fans dreaming of seeing their team in the college football playoff.

The win against NC State was huge in terms of ACC standings and giving everyone a reason not to worry. A close win against Duke had everyone a little concerned, but I think we can chalk that performance up to a rare phenomenon.

As usual, seasons come and seasons ago where multiple players exceed preseason expectations and help take their respective teams to higher levels. Thus, this article is about three players that have gone above and beyond what anyone thought was possible for them in 2016.

These three players have been huge factors in the Cardinals getting six wins in seven games and putting their team in solid position to make the College Football Playoff.

Here are the three biggest surprises of the 2016 season.

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Louisville Cardinals cornerback Jaire Alexander (10) celebrates after a punt return during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

3. The rise of Jaire Alexander

Jaire Alexander has taken his game to a different level this year for Louisville. He has turned into a great punt-returner and cornerback in the second season as a Cardinal. Not to mention, he has just been named a Jim Thorpe Award semi-finalist.

His breakout moment of the 2016 season was when he returned a punt back for a touchdown against Florida State, which pretty much was the knock-out punch for an already struggling Seminole team. Alexander also had a phenomenal return against Duke, but it was called back because of a block-in-the-back penalty.

Did I tell you how much we love the referees in the ACC?

Alexander has also been much-improved on defense this season. He is currently second the on team in passes broken up with four, ninth with 23 total tackles, and leading the team with three interceptions.

Louisville fans can thank Alexander because he has been a huge reason as to why the Cards have been successful in 2016. He is a game-changing athlete who has given the Louisville football team a major advantage on special teams.

Oct 22, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Matthew Dayes (21) runs the ball against Louisville Cardinals linebacker James Hearns (99) during the first quarter at Papa John

2. James Hearns

James Hearns has filled a huge void in the Cardinals’ linebacking core, as Trevon Young has missed every game this year and will be out until next season. It was a question mark, going into the year, of how well Hearns would perform as one of the team’s starting outside linebackers in their 3-4 defensive scheme.

Not only has he answered, Hearns has dominated all season long.

He currently leads the Cardinals in tackles for loss with 6.5, tackles for loss yards with 57 and sacks with 4.5. Hearns has used his strength and speed to get off the line of scrimmage and disrupt offenses all year long.

If you pay attention to what he can do during games, you will see Hearns making the tackle on the opposite side of the field. I can remember one specific play against NC State where he ran down the running back and caught him from behind on the other sideline.

Hearns has an impressive motor and will to bring down the ball-carrier.

Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) fakes a hand off to running back Brandon Radcliff (23) during the second quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Papa John

1. Lamar Jackson on pace to win the Heisman Trophy

We saw the good and bad of Lamar Jackson in his freshman season for the Louisville football team. He would misread the read-option play, throw long interceptions, and make questionable decisions with the football.

At the same time, we saw how explosive he could be. We saw how quick he could change the course of a game and how sad he can make Kentucky fans. However, it wasn’t until this season that we saw how great Lamar Jackson really is.

The scary thing is, he is getting better each week for the Cardinals.

His accuracy, understanding of the offense, reading of defenses, and leadership has improved to a Heisman-worthy level this season. Jackson is on pace to have one of the best statistical seasons of all-time and we are only a little over half-way through the year.

We all knew what he was capable of, but I think he has done even better than what anyone gave him credit for in 2016.