Drew Bailey’s name was called early and often in the University of Louisville football team’s 24-14 win over Duke on Friday.
Every other defensive play it seemed.
A year ago, he was playing behind Sheldon Rankins, watching him closely. “I just watched and listened to Sheldon,” he said. “He taught me to take my time learning how to play the run and play the blocks.”
Rankins, who was drafted as the No. 12 pick in the 2015 NFL draft, is on the injured reserve list of the New Orleans Saints. He would be pleased with Bailey’s progress.
On Monday, Bailey was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week after his career-best performance against Duke.
Bailey, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound junior, made 11 tackles in the game, the most tackles by a U of L defensive lineman since Elvis Dumervil had 11 in 2005 versus Kentucky.
Bailey had three tackles for loss and seven solo tackles as Louisville held the Blue Devils to 110 rushing yards and 239 total yards. He is in his second season after transferring from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss.