Louisville football spring ball is just around the corner, and Cardinals fans are anxiously awaiting the season.
However, Louisville defense seems to be a glaring weakness, so it was clear as day to Jeff Brohm and his staff that they needed to make significant moves in the transfer portal to try and compete for an ACC title.
So, as players are constantly transferring in college football, it is important to keep up to date. Here are a few defensive players to watch out for Louisville football in the 2025 season.
3 biggest transfer portal wins so far for Louisville football
Darius Thomas - Linebacker
Darius Thomas was a three-star safety out of Miramar High School. He committed to Western Kentucky at the beginning of 2022 and had a start-and-stop career there. Thomas appeared in eight games in the 2022 season, and WKU's defense finished first in the nation in forced turnovers and touchdowns. In the following 2023 season, Darius missed the entire season due to injury. He is coming off the best season of his career, finishing fourth on the team with 54 total tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble. Thomas entered the transfer portal and committed to Louisville after the 2024 season. Be on the lookout for Darius Thomas on the Cardinals defense in 2025.
JoJo Evans - Defensive Back
Jojo Evans is coming from FIU, as the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder, will make an appearance on his fourth collegiate team. Before FIU he was seen playing for Kent State, and Marshall as well. At his time at FIU, Evans secured 41 total tackles, and two interceptions. Evans has had elite competition under his belt as he was seen playing No. 1 Georgia back in 2022. While at Kent State in 2022, he earned 83 total tackles, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble and an interception.
Demon Clowney - Defensive Lineman
The cousin of NFL star Jadeveon Clowney, Demon Clowney, has decided to spend his final season of eligibility with the Louisville Cardinals. Clowney was a four-star prospect in 2020 coming out of St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. He committed to Ole Miss in early 2020, where he played his first three seasons. Clowney transferred to Charlotte in 2023; he started to break out there with more playing time. He recorded four and a half sacks in his two seasons with the 49ers. With Louisville losing multiple D-linemen in the upcoming 2025 season, Clowney will have his shot to shine and showcase his talent.
Louisville finished with a 9-4 overall record and a 5-3 conference record. The Cardinals ended the 2024 season on a three-game winning streak, including a Sun Bowl victory against Washington.