Louisville’s defense already had one of the ACC’s most disruptive front sevens last season, and Pro Football Focus just put a spotlight on why the Cardinals could be a nightmare again off the edge.
The biggest attention this offseason has gone to Jeff Brohm rebuilding the offense almost from scratch - new quarterback, nearly an entirely new offensive line, fresh wide receivers, and added running back depth. But on the other side of the ball, Louisville’s strength remains obvious. Brohm brought in pieces like Tyler Thompson from North Carolina and Koen Entringer from Iowa, yet the real story is the return of the Cardinals’ best pass rushers.
PFF’s latest list of the highest-graded returning ACC edge rushers had Louisville all over it. Clev Lubin checked in first overall with a 91.4 grade.
Thompson followed at No. 6 with an 81.5, and AJ Green landed at No. 8 with an 80.4. For a conference loaded with edge talent, that’s a loud statement.
Thompson’s arrival gives Louisville another proven weapon. The UNC transfer was rated as a 4-star transfer, ranked No. 104 overall and No. 11 among edge rushers. He’s coming off a strong year with the Tar Heels, posting 26 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection.
The Cardinals also got a major offseason win when Green decided to stay. He had entered the Transfer Portal and was expected to leave, but Louisville kept him in the fold. Green finished last season with 31 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery that he took back for a touchdown.
Then there’s Lubin, who anchors the group. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound edge rusher earned All-ACC Third Team honors and was named a Preseason All-American after leading Louisville with 8.5 sacks. He added 59 tackles, which ranked fourth on the team, along with three pass deflections and three forced fumbles.
Put it together, and Louisville has a trio that can wreck an offense in a hurry. PFF’s rankings made the point plain: Green, Thompson, and Lubin are not just good pieces. They’re the kind of edge rushers that can define a season.
In Other News...
Pat Kelseys Next Recruiting Push Could Put Louisville In The Mix
Pat Kelsey has wasted little time trying to widen Louisvilles recruiting footprint, and the early push has stretched well beyond the class of 2027. The Cardinals have been in on a group of high-end targets that includes five-star prospects Reese Alston, Demarcus Henry and Darius Wabbington, a sign that Kelsey and his staff are aiming high as they build for the next wave of roster talent.
One of the more intriguing names on the board is Benjamin Berrouet, a nationally ranked five-star power forward in the class of 2028 who has already drawn attention from several major programs. Louisville assistant Ronnie Hamilton recently got a closer look at Berrouet during a FIBA U16 event, another indication that the Cardinals are trying to stay ahead of the curve with younger elite prospects before the race for his commitment really heats up. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville Just Made A Move For An Elite Young Big Man
Benji Berrouets stock keeps rising, and Louisville has made sure it is firmly in the mix. The 2028 composite five-star big man put together a dominant showing for Latvia in a FIBA U16 competition in Romania, piling up 33 points and 22 rebounds, while Cardinals assistant Ronnie Hamilton was on hand to watch. Berrouet has been on Louisvilles radar since the NBPA Top 100 camp, and the programs interest has now moved beyond observation.
The next part figures to get crowded in a hurry. Berrouet is weighing a national list of heavy hitters that also includes Baylor, Texas, UCLA, Miami, Kentucky, Arkansas, Houston and USC, and he plans to line up visits soon. For Louisville, landing in that conversation at this stage is the kind of early step that matters, especially with an elite young frontcourt talent whose recruitment is only beginning to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Kelsey Is Chasing A Shooting Fix Louisville Still Needs
Pat Kelsey is still working through the kind of roster-building puzzle every college coach now lives with, and Louisvilles latest need is obvious enough. A recent eligibility ruling giving seniors a fifth year has only added another layer of uncertainty, so Kelsey said the staff has to stay vigilant while looking for pieces that fit what the Cardinals still need on the floor.
One of those pieces appears to be shooting, and Louisville has been linked to a player who could help right away. Cade Tyson, a Minnesota transfer known for his 3-point touch, took a big step forward offensively last season and would give the Cardinals a different look on the perimeter. The interest makes sense, even if the final answer on where he lands is still very much up in the air. [Read more 🡒]