Louisville football's defense has had an excellent start to the 2025 season, but the fans and the program are missing one specific player from their 2023 10-win season. Mason Reiger transferred to the Wisconsin Badgers this offseason, and the former Louisville Cardinal is proving time and time again that he is the player Louisville misses the most.
The former edge rusher was one of Louisville's best defenders in 2023 and helped this defense be one of the best defenses in the ACC. He is now making waves with his new program through the first two weeks of football, and is proving he was the most significant loss for Jeff Brohm this offseason.
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Former Louisville star is making Cardinals regret letting him get away
The Cardinals lost a handful of players to the Transfer Portal this past offseason, but through two weeks of football, Reiger is letting the fans know he was the most significant loss of them all. Reiger is stacking up numbers with the Badgers through two weeks, as he has logged eight tackles and one crucial sack in the Badgers' Week One win over Miami (Ohio).
Last week, Reiger came up massive again for Wisconsin versus Middle Tennessee and had the Badgers' highest defensive grade per Pro Football Focus with a 90.2. The former Cardinals earned an 86.4 as a pass rusher after logging 41 snaps, generating five pressures on the quarterback, four hurries, and four tackles.
Back with the Cardinals, Reiger logged eight sacks, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble during his time with Louisville, but his best year was in 2023. Louisville's defense is stepping up big-time so far in 2025, but Reigher is making the Cardinals pay for not bringing him back.
Reiger is emerging as a dominant force for Wisconsin in 2025 and a team leader. The former Cardinal was one of the many players to make the Comeback Player of the Year award Watch List, and after two weeks, he is having a strong case to be considered.
The Cardinals fans are dreaming of Clev Lubin and Reiger playing together, but are now left thinking what could have been as they watch both players dominate in the first two weeks of football.
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