3. Defensive Line
The defensive line also lost a large share of its 2024 production. Most notably, Ashton Gillotte, the team’s leading pass rusher, departed for the NFL after racking up 26.5 career sacks. He was drafted in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs. Veteran leaders Ramon Puryear, Tramel Logan, Jared Dawson, and Thor Griffith also moved on, leaving Brohm with a major hole to fill in the trenches.
Louisville addressed the need with an aggressive transfer haul. Wesley Bailey, Justin Beadles, Denzel Lowry, Clev Lubin, and Jerry Lawson all join returning upperclassman Jordan Guerad in what should be a deep, competitive room.
Lubin is the headline addition, coming off a breakout year at Coastal Carolina, where he totaled 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. With this level of depth, the Cards have the pieces to rotate effectively, keep players fresh, and apply consistent pressure up front. For Louisville’s defense to return to form, it has to start with the defensive line controlling the line of scrimmage.
Related: 5 Louisville football players that will make or break the Cardinals' 2025 season