Jarvis Brownlee Jr. Making Strides as a Player and Leader for Louisville

Coming over from Florida State last offseason, Jarvis Brownlee Jr. had a solid first season with the Louisville football program.

Despite some inconsistencies when it came to his play in coverage, the cornerback actually finished as one of the top statistical defenders for the Cardinals. He logged the third-most tackles on the team with 66, tied for the second-most interceptions with two, and tied for the second-most pass breakups in the ACC with 12.

Even with how well Brownlee performed at an individual level, it wasn't enough for him. He entered spring ball not only with a desire to improve his own game, but make strides as a leader and challenge players to match his energy.

At this point in the offseason, it seems that Brownlee has made significant progress in both areas.

"He's a guy that has a unique trait in that he can catch the ball, he's physical and he's tough," cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis said. "I think he has done an unbelievable job in the weight room this summer. I think he's up to 192 (pounds) right now, so he's really invested in his body. From an explosive standpoint, just from spring until now, he's better."

Ellis isn't just hyping Brownlee up. In spring ball earlier this year, the 6-foot-0 and 190-pound cornerback was routinely one of the best defensive backs during the open practices. Not only was he as physical as ever against both wide receivers and running backs alike, but he appeared to make good progress when it came to his play in coverage. He was a lot more consistent when staying locked on a receiver in man coverage, and limited the amount of times he was burnt down the field.

This progression in his game has also been apparent over the first two days of fall camp. No matter who he has lined up against in 1-on-1's, 7-on-7's or in 11-on-11's, he has regularly locked down his receiver in man coverage or that side of the field in zone coverage. The only receiver to have any sort of sustained success against him so far has been Jamari Thrash, who was one of the most explosive receivers in college football last season.

In fact, Brownlee has done so well that he has teammates trying to emulate his game. Or at the very least, trying to add parts of his game to their own.

"I piggyback off of JB," cornerback Quincy Riley said. "He's a physical guy, so I took some his game and put it into mine. Last year, I wasn't so violent with breaking on the ball and my punch attack. But this year, I said I'm going to play more physical and play bigger. I just watch him, and how he'll go towards the ball, how he makes contact, and I'm like, 'I gotta play into that more.' I think that has helped me take strides in my game. I already have ball skills, now I just need that second part."

So far, adding bits and pieces of Brownlee's game to his own has worked out for Riley. On the second day of fall camp alone, Riley had multiple pass breakups, and was one of the top performers overall in the practice.

As far as progressing as a leader goes, that has also been evident to everyone around him. Ellis even points back to a kids camp that Louisville hosted over the summer, and Brownlee was out there for all three days trying to make an impact on the campers.

"From sun up to sun down, he's teaching the five and six-year-olds how to catch the football, how to run routes, how to tackle, because he's a guy that loves ball," Ellis said.

Ellis challenged Brownlee to "establish the standard" not long after joining head coach Jeff Brohm's staff, and Brownlee has taken that to heart. He said he has always felt like a leader due to his status as an older player, but isn't trying to be the commanding type, but instead someone that everyone on the team can look up to and come to. 

"Honestly, my role is just be the best player I can be for this team, and to put us in a winning position," he said. "Yeah, I'm a leader, we all know that. But I don't try to take it like that. I just try to be a brother, and a guy that just leads by example and makes sure everybody on the right path. That's really my role."

Of course, he's also striving to become the best on-field player he can be. With how physical he already is, that mainly revolves around becoming more consistent, whether that be in pass coverage or in any other facet of his game.

"Basically, I just work on being consistent," he said. "I know if I be consistent, nobody could beat me on my game. I know if I'm consistent, I'm gonna be the best player that this team needs."