Louisville football is in the process of signing one of its best recruiting classes ever. Here is a word (or two) to describe each player, and why they will be impactful for the Cards going forward.
Since taking over as Louisville football head coach, Jeff Brohm and his staff have held together one of the best recruiting classes in school history.
Looking at each of the 19 freshmen and transfers that have joined this Louisville roster so far, there isn’t a single player that you look at and think they are a developmental piece.
Louisville is bringing in players that can compete for playing time and starting spots right out the gate.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a moment to get to know each Louisville football signee and what you should expect from them in 2023 and beyond.
Listed in alphabetical order by first name.
Aaron Williams — DB
“Dog”
Jeff Brohm revealed on Wednesday night that Williams tore his ACL during the season.
Williams continued to play, leading his No. 1 Bosco squad to a California state championship and national championship. He will move to Louisville after Christmas, have surgery on his ACL, and prepare to be ready for fall camp.
When he was healthy, Williams was an absolute nuisance for opposing teams, assigned to No. 1 wide receivers, staking his reputation on putting the clamps on some of the best players in the country.
Williams’ injury- The second torn ACL of his career- muddies the water as far as how soon he will be able to put the pads back on. However, he will be an instant-impact guy when he returns to full health.
Adonijah Green — DE
“Adonis”
Louisville fought hard to keep Green, a highly coveted defensive line recruit, on board in this class.
It was Green, however, who reportedly told the Cardinals coaching staff that no matter where he visited around the country- including North Carolina, Nebraka, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, and Tennessee- nothing compared to UofL.
In Green, Louisville is getting a player ready to contribute in game one.
At 6’5,” 205 pounds, Green has the size, speed, and strength to be a special edge rusher. His ceiling, though, may be the highest of any player in this class.
Defensive line coach Mark Ivey, Green’s primary recruiter, says he has a 7-foot or 7’1″ wingspan and should have the frame to add about 50 pounds of weight.
That is a scary thought for a player who is already a physically dominant force.
Cataurus Hicks — WR
“Baby Tutu”
An under-the-radar, under-sized, quick, twitchy, speed demon receiver out of South Florida. Sound familiar?
Comparing any player to Tutu Atwell over the next few years is almost certain to set unfair expectations. However, the list of similarities for this rising star are far easier to point out than differences. Factor in that Hicks credits Atwell as a major influence on his commitment to UofL, and you have a recipe for comparisons out the gate.
Another similarity? Hicks hasn’t caught many balls at the high school level yet. Playing for the nation’s No. 2 team, Miami Central, Hicks had less opportunities to shine on the big stage.
That didn’t stop him, however, from reaching the endzone against star-studded IMG Academy and catching the game-winning touchdown in the Dade vs Broward County All-Star game.
Hicks has the speed to see the field right away and should be viewed as an excellent complimentary piece to Ahmari Huggins-Bruce and Braden Smith in 2023.
Devin Neal — DB, Baylor
“Blue collar”
A lesser talked about acquisition after Jeff Brohm’s arrival is Baylor transfer and Lexington native Devin Neal.
The former Fredrick Douglass star become known at Baylor as a defensive leader who is a film study savvant.
“He is smart, he’s instinctive,” Baylor coach Dave Aranda said. “I think he hedges his bets. I think there’s good athleticism in him. But what aids with all that is his predictive knowledge. He’s able to see this down and distance, this formation, this split, this receiver, this tight end, this back equals this play. And he’s playing a couple steps ahead. So just very cool with his ability to kind of grasp information and then apply it.”
Louisville returns safeties Josh Minkins and MJ Griffin to the fold in 2023. But in what will likely be a 4-2-5 scheme, Neal will fit naturally as a starter and steady presence in the Louisville secondary.
Jadon Thompson — WR, Cincinnati
“Breakout potential”
Louisville is looking for a true No. 1 receiver to take over in 2023, and perhaps that is a player like Jadon Thompson.
The Cincinnati transfer was a highly coveted recruit out of high school that never quite reached his full potential at his previous stop.
Playing alongside two 2023 NFL Draft picks in Cinci, Thompson only hauled in 27 receptions this season.
However, his upside is tremendous with a 6’2″ frame, a long stride, and excellent field vision, Thompson has the ability to kick things up a notch in an offense that should provide ample opportunities.
Jahlil McClain — WR
“Versatile”
McClain became known as one of Pierce Clarkson’s favorite weapons at St. John Bosco, carving out tons of targets in a wide receiver group that heavily featured superstar DeAndre Moore.
At the next level, it’s difficult to see him not getting immediate playing time in the Brohm offense.
Flip on the tape and McClain’s football accumen is on full display. He picks apart zone defenses by simply taking what he is given and gives the quarterback multiple windows to deliver the ball. He is rarely in man press coverage, but McClain shows a repertoire of footwork to free himself up at the line of scrimmage when he is forced to.
There isn’t anything about McClain’s tape that jumps out in regards to insane speed, strength, or athleticism. However, he is the complete package as it pertains to being college-ready.
Look for McClain to put together a career where we look back and realize we always took his polish and sure-handedness for granted.
Jimmy Calloway — WR, Tennessee
“Smooth”
Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Calloway is a smooth operator who is a polished route runner and pass catcher.
In Knoxville, he never quite got things going in the receiving game, only catching 2 passes in his third season with the Vols while playing in 9 games.
Louisville serves as an opportunity for Calloway to get a fresh start with a new face at the helm.
Keyjuan Brown — RB
“Muscle Hampster”
Matt McGavic compared Brown to former NFL and Boise State star Doug “Muscle Hampster” Martin, and it’s difficult to unsee.
Every year, Louisville has one or two guys with just all-world highlight tapes, and Brown would get the nod this year for the most ridiculous running back highlight tape since Brandon Radcliffe.
Brown is a bruiser that has just enough speed to take it the distance when he gets a hole. Opponents are bewildered by his low center of gravity and how ridiculous it is to try to tackle the 5’9″ monster.
The running back room is solid with rising stars Jawhar Jordan and Maurice Turner returning to the fold, but perhaps Brown can step in and be the bowling ball UofL needs.
Luke Burgess — OT
“Lunchpail”
Want to talk about no frills and all substance? Look no further than behemoth offensive lineman Luke Burgess.
The 6’8″ monster from New Palestine, Indiana is a polished tackle who could fill multiple voids along Louisville’s offensive line in 2023.
It’s hard to find many flaws to his game, and with added weight to his frame, he has the ability to be one of two freshman offensive linemen who are day 1 starters.
Micah Carter — DL
“Bully”
St. X defensive lineman Micah Carter was the first to follow Brohm from Purdue to Louisville when he flipped his commitment right after the head coach’s hiring.
Carter is a 6’5″ 260-pound interior lineman that can be moved to defensive end. His tape is honestly shocking with how well he moves and pursues the football. Carter redirects his pass rushes, drops into coverage, and flies all over the field very well for a kid his size.
Obviously, playing at St. X in Louisville means that his competition wasn’t quite up to what some 2023 classmates have faced. However, when you roll the tape, it actually feels unfair how big, strong, and fast he is compared to the competition.
Over the years, we have seen Dexter and Earl Heyman, Brandon Dunn, the Derek Dorsey, Dayna Kinnairds, and now Selah Brown transfer well to the next level on the defensive front 7. Among that group Carter may be the best prospect yet out of the Louisville area, and he could be primed to bring a bully-like pursuit to the field early in his career.
Madden Sanker — OG
“Pancake Machine”
We mentioned that Burgess is one potential day 1 starter on the offensive line and his roommate Madden Sanker could be another.
One of the more highly-coveted guards in the 2023 class, Sanker has utilized his skillset on the wrestling mat to better his game on the field.
Sanker is a mauler who can use strength and footwork to overpower the opposition but is agile and flexible enough to stay in front of and redirect players. He gets to the second-level dependably on run plays and is incredibly fun to watch in pass pro.
Sanker probably projects as a guard at UofL and absolutely has what it takes to see serious time right away.
Marquis Groves-Killebrew — Corner
“Potential superstar”
Marques Grove-Killebrew is a Louisville kid at heart. The Texas A&M transfer has enough ties to Louisville that he has a sleeve on his left forearm honoring the place he considers “home”.
So, it was only right that when the Brohm family made its way back to Louisville that MGK decided to return home as well.
Groves-Killebrew tore his ACL during his senior season, forcing him to miss the early part of last year for A&M.
However, MGK’s game is one that should translate to immediate success for Louisville football.
A top-150 player out of high school, Groves-Killebrew established his lockdown corner status through gifted athleticism and incredibly polished footwork and ball skills.
MGK possesses everything you want in a star corner. He has fluid hips, quick feet, next-level speed, and instinctive playmaking ability. He is supremely confident at his position, comfortable being on island against opposing outside receivers.
UofL has killed it on the transfer market this year, but MGK probably stands alone as the gem of this transfer class.
Myles Slusher — Safety
“Consistent”
Arkansas nickel transfer Myles Slusher was all over the place during his career in Fayetville, notching 93 tackles in 15 starts for the Hogs.
The three-year veteran brings immediate help to the table for a Louisville football defense altering its scheme in 2023.
Slusher looks like an immediate starter in a Louisville secondary that should heavily feature ball-hawking playmakers.
The only knock on Slusher to this point is his ability to stay healthy. Four separate injuries have kept him sidelined during his career.
If he can remain in good health, this is a guy that is a potential stud for the Cards.
Pierce Clarkson — QB
“Polished”
Pierce Clarkson is the superstar cornerstone of this Louisville football class. He won a national title with Bosco this season and spearheaded the charge for what may wind up being UofL’s best class ever.
Upon his arrival, however, fans will not find a project player. Like every true freshman, there will be a learning curve. But Clarkson is as polished as they come in regard to his experience level.
Clarkson’s poise in the pocket is second-to-none in the 2023 class, and his progression reading is a breath of fresh air for a program that has lacked a true pocket presence since Teddy Bridgewater.
The growing pains are expected, but the foundation for this QB to become a superstar has been laid for years.
Rodney McGraw — EDGE
“Hulk”
McGraw’s journey to Louisville was anything but traditional. The Chicago native was originally an Indiana commit before flipping to Penn State late in the process. He enrolled early in Happy Valley in 2021, redshirting his freshman year. In 2022, McGraw saw clean up time in 5 games for the Nittany Lions, recording three total tackles.
The one thing that McGraw certainly did at Penn State was add a ton of muscle to his frame. He has gained about 25-30 pounds since leaving high school, making him a formiddle 6’5,” 255 pounds.
McGraw replaces Yaya Diaby as the off the bus guy that just looks like he’s capable of decapitating an opposing QB at any moment. He has all of the tools to be a star at Louisville, it simply is a matter of finding the right fit and continuing to add to his arsenal.
In high school, McGraw was a raw prospect. He used his size and speed to overpower and get around opposing blockers. Based on that tape alone, he had a long way to go as far as mastering fundamentals and improving his overall game against a much more level playing field in college. He is a very upright runner who uses little-to-no technique to get around guys.
While its certain that McGraw added a lot to his repertoire in 2 full calendar years in PA, it remains to be seen if he is the type of player to get starting reps for this squad just yet.
Regardless, when he steps off that bus for game one in Atlanta, there won’t be a more physically imposing force ready to suit up for the Cards.
Saadiq Clements — DL
“Boogeyman”
Clements comes to Louisville by way of a flip from Purdue.
The Kentucky native is an absolute hoss on the defensive line, physically dominating the competition at multiple positions up front.
Clements is a fairly raw talent that seems likely to start on the inside at Louisville. However, as he develops pass-rush moves in college, he has unlimited potential to be a monster up front in coming years. Look for him to move all over the line for this UofL defense.
Stanquan Clark — LB
“Super Stan”
Clark is likely the best NFL prospect in this 2023 class, and possesses the size and strength of a multi-year power five starter.
Clark plays fast, physical, downhill, and is above-average in coverage.
When you think about difference makers at linebacker like James Burgess, CJ Avery, Keith Kelsey, and Dorian Etheridge stand out because of their instant-impact ability and consistency across their careers.
Clark feels like the next true freshman to come in and be the guy at a linebacker position that loses a lot to graduation.
Look for Clark to be an immediate-impact player for this squad.
Stephen Herron Jr. — LB
“Leader”
Former Trinity star Stephen Herron is back home after a successful career at Stanford, and is looking to be the perfect stop gap for a UofL team looking to replace a ton up front in 2023.
Herron was a consistent star at Standford, leading the team in sacks in 2022 while notching 19 tackles and 2 forced fumbles.
Over the last few years, Louisville has brought in these one-year veteran defensive playmakers to help hold things together. Momo Sanogo was a massive piece in 2022, while Qwyneterrio Cole played a major role as a leader in 2021.
Herron has an opportunity to help fill a void left by Yasir Abdullah and Yaya Diaby that will be nearly impossible to fill.
As a fifth-year player with serious experience at a top-level program, Herron will provide defensive leadership that Louisville football desperately needs.
