Louisville Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

You better believe I’m getting another player from the defensive side of the ball on this list.

Last season, James Hearns led the Cardinals in sacks (8.0) which had him ranked 46th in the nation. He also had a career-best 43 tackles and had 11 tackles for a loss. His five forced fumbles were the most in school history.

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If you’re a fan of defensive players, Hearns is the kind of player you’ll love watching when he hunts opposing quarterbacks and running backs.

Hearns doesn’t shrink from big moments.  He was credited with four tackles and sack against his hometown squad in Florida State in a pivotal game for the Cardinals last season.

In a scary moment last December, Hearns was shot while at an off-campus party. He didn’t receive life threatening injuries and appears poised to be healthy for the start of this season.

The fact Hearns was named to the All-ACC Preseason team is a great sign that he’s ready to cause havoc on the field again this season.