Louisville football lost one of its best defensive players in program history last season as star defensive linemen and edge rusher Ashton Gillotte got drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round.
All offseason, Louisville has heard about how it can replace Gillotte's production, and well, newcomer Clev Lubin sent a fiery message to the fans and the nation that emphasizes that this Cardinals' defensive front is ready to play at a high level with or without Gillotte.
Related: JoJo Evans reveals how Louisville's defense is becoming a relentless force for 2025
Clev Lubin's fiery message proves Louisville's defense found its star
Yes, losing the production of Gillotte is going to be hard to replace, but it appears the newcomer and transfer from Coastal Carolina is tired of hearing about losing Gillotte, and he is ready to step up and fill in that big role.
"I know losing Ashton Gillotte brings a lot of pressure on us to compete, but you gotta love those type of things," Lubin stated. "You gotta love being able to step up in big roles and play at a high level and compete, and show the world where you're capable of at all times."
Lubin had a massive season for the Chanticleers in 2024 as the linemen logged 43 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three pass deflections. Lubin's 12 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks were No. 1 on the team and both top four in the Sun Belt Conference.
Lubin was one of the top defensive linemen in the Transfer Portal, but Mark Hagen's pressure and history stood out to him, largely due to Gillotte. The Cardinals will have to replace their All-ACC defensive linemen who totaled 130 tackles and 26.5 sacks in four seasons.
Lubin is here to tell you he is ready. Louisville fans can stop stressing and looking because he is prepared to step up and fill in the big role, and this roster is not worried about losing Gillotte, and their only focus is on the guys on the roster this year.
"We are worried about the guys in the room," Lubin stated. "I feel like a lot of us are ready to compete at a high level, a lot of us got chips on our shoulders, a lot of us have things to prove and have personal goals we want to accomplish, so if we continue to gel the way we've gelled over the offseason and starting into camp, I feel like when we all do that, everyone's going to play at a high level and everyone's going to produce.
Lubin is taking a big leadership role with these types of responses. The senior will look to have a similar season as he did last year with Coastal Carolina and be a dominant 6-foot-3 250-pound defensive lineman.
The Coastal Carolina transfer has been one of the players on the defensive side who has stood out at fall camp so far, so he is trending in the right direction to be that Gillotte replacement that Hagen desperately needs.
Related: Louisville 2025 game-by-game predictions: Can Cardinals beat Clemson again?
For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.