Louisville football lost four of its top five defensive backs from last season, and it is one of the Cardinals' glaring concerns entering the 2025 season. The Cardinals' secondary the previous year didn't live up to Mark Hagen's standards, and with the unit this season being even more inexperienced, fans have their eyes on the corners and safeties at fall camp.
Many fans and experts are expecting a big jump from key returning safety D'Angelo Hutchinson. The 6-foot-3 defensive back is expected to get a lot of first-unit reps at free safety and represent Ron English's unit vigorously.
English serves as Jeff Brohm's secondary coach and Co-Defensive coordinator, and when he was asked about a player who has impressed him at camp so far, transfer from FIU, JoJo Evans, was quick to come up.
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JoJo Evans is quickly making a name for himself at Louisville's fall camp
Evans transfers to Louisville as a sixth-year senior and brings leadership and experience. The transfer is emerging as one of the Cardinals' top safeties in the room and is trending to start at strong safety.
Last season for FIU, Evans secured a spot on First Team All-Conference USA after earning a career high in tackles with an impressive 93 total tackles and 52 of them being solo. His seven pass deflections and two interceptions also logged career highs, and he also forced a fumble last season.
Now, the safety will look to make the big transition up to Power 4 football and against a much higher level of competition. When English was asked about Evans, he made sure to emphasize that he is putting in the work, and it is beginning to show.
"If you watched him in the second part of practice, particularly that first team, he was running around. So, he has bought into what I am selling; now he just has to get better."
English made it clear that Evans is emerging as a leader for this secondary unit and that his experience shows. Evans has played for three teams before Louisville, starting at Marshall for two seasons, then at Kent State, and finally at FIU for two seasons.
It will be crucial for Evans to continue to trend in the right direction if this unit wants to improve from last season. Brohm earlier in camp stated that Louisville must limit the deep passes and big-time plays, and at strong safety, Evans will play a crucial role in that.
While English stated he must get better and has work to do, it is still excellent to hear his leadership and transition are impressing coaches. Louisville has high expectations for this hidden gem they got from the Transfer Portal, and they are hoping he can make a smooth transition and have similar results as he did last year with FIU.
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