Although Louisville football didn’t make the College Football Playoff, two former Cardinals could face one another this season.
Defensive linemen Jeff Clark and Jermayne Lole left Louisville for Arizona State and Texas, respectively, prior to the 2024 season. The Sun Devils won the Big 12, earning the No. 4 seed, and await the winner between the fifth-seeded Longhorns and 12th-seeded Clemson for a second-round CFP matchup on New Year’s Day.
Clark contributed 20 tackles, 1 ½ for loss, and a fumble recovery in his first season with the Sun Devils, who successfully made the move from the Pac-12 to the Big 12.
Coincidentally, Texas made the move from the Big 12 to the SEC and made the conference title game, falling to Georgia, 22-19. Lole, at his third school after starting his college career as a Sun Devil, played in the game but didn’t log any stats. He has 30 tackles, three for loss, and made three starts in 13 games played.
While Lole and Clark were part of successful teams this season, other former Louisville players had individual success. Six of the outgoing transfer players started at least six games for their new schools.
With bowl season underway, here’s how Louisville’s 2023 transfers fared during the 2024 season:
Tyler Baron, DL, Miami: He started in 11 of 12 games played for the Hurricanes, totaling 37 tackles, 11 for loss, 5 ½ sacks and a forced fumble to help the U to a 10-2 season. Miami is set to play Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28.
Jaylin Alderman, LB, Miami: The three-game starter tallied 24 tackles, 3 ½ for loss, and a sack.
Josh Minkins, S, Cincinnati: The Ballard High School graduate started every game for the Bearcats, who finished 5-7. Minkins led the team in interceptions (2) and contributed 45 tackles, 1 ½ for loss, and four pass breakups.
Kam Wilson, DL, Cincinnati: The former Cardinal had 10 tackles, 2 ½ for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery this season.
William Fowles, WR, Appalachian State: Despite playing in 11 games, he was limited to two catches for 29 yards as App State went 5-6.
Luke Burgess, OL, Appalachian State: Burgess played two snaps in one game this season.
Rodney McGraw, DL, Western Michigan: The edge rusher played in 13 games, totaling 22 tackles, 2 ½ for loss, and a sack as the Broncos went 6-7. They lost to South Alabama, 30-23, in the Salute to Veterans Bowl.
Popeye Williams, DL, Western Michigan: After starting in five of 13 games played, Williams made 19 tackles, two for loss, to go along with a sack and fumble recovery.
Peny Boone, RB, Central Florida: In his final college season, Boone was the fourth-leading rusher for the Knights (4-8) with 208 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries over seven games.
Kaden Moorman, RB, Butler Community College: He only played in one game and had two carries for 5 yards during the 7-5 season.
Darrian Bell, LB, Savannah State: The former U of L player led the Tigers (5-5) with 60 tackles. He recorded four behind the line of scrimmage in addition to a sack.
Keith Brown, LB, Washington State: He played in 12 games for the Cougars (8-4), who will play Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl, and had 25 tackles, 2 ½ for loss, and a sack.
Tawfiq Thomas, DL, Colorado: Thomas recorded 15 tackles, 2 ½ for loss, with a sack and pass breakup for the Buffaloes, who went 9-3 and will play BYU in the Alamo Bowl.
Reuben Unije, OL, UCLA: He started four games at left tackle for the Bruins, who missed bowl eligibility at 5-7.
Wesley Walker, DB, Michigan: Walker followed up his brief stint at Louisville by going to Michigan, where he had 26 tackles and started in four of 10 games played. The Wolverines (7-5) will play Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
Kevin Coleman, WR, Mississippi State: The former Cardinal started every game for the Bulldogs (2-10) and was the team’s leading receiver with 932 yards and six TDs on 74 receptions.
Ryheem Craig, DL, East Carolina: A 12-game starter, Craig logged 48 tackles, 4 ½ for loss, 1 ½ sacks and a fumble recovery for the Pirates (7-5), who will play N.C. State in the Military Bowl on Dec. 28.
Elijah Downing, WR, Murray State: Despite the Racers only winning one game this season, Downing started three of 12 games played and had 108 yards and a TD on nine catches.
Kevin Longstreet, CB, Texas A&M: He was limited to a pass breakup in five games played for the Aggies (8-4), who will take on USC in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Joshua Black, OL, Georgia State: Black started 12 games at right guard for Georgia State (3-9).
Marquis Groves-Killebrew, DB, Arizona: The cornerback started six of nine games played for the Wildcats (4-8), recording 26 tackles, four pass breakups and a sack.
Jackson Hamilton, LB, Georgia Tech: Hamilton supplied the Yellow Jackets (7-5) with 26 tackles and a fumble recovery in 10 games played and will finish his season against Vanderbilt in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 27.
Marcus Washington, DB, Syracuse: Didn’t log any stats.
Sam Secrest, OL, Houston: The center took two snaps in one game for the Cougars (4-8).
John Paul Flores, OL, Liberty: He started at right guard in six of eight games played for the Flames (8-3), who will play Buffalo in the Bahamas Bowl on Jan. 4.
Izaiah Reed, OL, Memphis: Didn’t log any snaps.
Nick Lopez, K, San Diego State: The former Cardinal had 339 yards on six kickoffs and went 1 for 3 on field goals for the Aztecs (3-9).
Derrick Edwards, DB, Charlotte: In his debut with the 49ers (5-7), Edwards had one tackle in five games played.
Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit atacubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
