Analyzing Louisville's Biggest Remaining 2024 Recruiting Needs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - As many know by now, the Louisville football program has had a fair amount of success so far out on the recruiting trail for the 2024 cycle. Headlined by blue chip prospects T.J. Capers and Isaac Brown, the Cardinals' Class of 2024 currently ranks as high as No. 30 in the nation according to 247Sports.

But, Louisville is far from done. The class currently only has 12 public verbal commitments, which is roughly half of what a normal-sized recruiting class looks like. 17 scholarship players are in line to graduate after the 2023 season, and when taking into account the early entrants into NFL Draft as well as players lost to the transfer portal, it's likely that the Cardinals will end up taking close to 25 high school prospects in the class.

Obviously, Louisville has done a good job so far at replacing the talent that will be leaving after next season. But what are some of their biggest remaining needs in the class? Let's take a look at the class by position below, then analyze where the Cardinals need to go from here.

Offense

QB: Deuce Adams
RB: Isaac Brown, Duke Watson
WR: Shaun Boykins Jr.
TE: Dylan Mesman
OL: Fred Johnson, Ransom McDermott, Jimmy Williams

Defense

DT: None
DE: None
LB: T.J. Capers, Trent Carter
CB: None
S: Jathan Hatch, Jaiden Spearman,

First we'll start on the offensive side of the ball, and there's already a couple spots here where Louisville is good at for the rest of the cycle. While they are set to graduate three signal callers, they do have Brady Allen and Pierce Clarkson waiting in the wings, so Deuce Adams fills the Cardinals' needs at quarterback for this class. They could, in theory, bring in one more quarterback, but it's not a priority need at all right now.

Louisville is also good for this class at running back. With Isaac Guerendo spending his final season at UofL and Jawhar Jordan a good candidate to be an early departure to NFL Draft, landing a pair of four-stars at this position more than suits their needs. That being said, someone to watch here is Derrick McFall, who recently visited campus, can play multiple positions, and is a co-favorite with Texas A&M.

Their biggest need on offense are pass catchers, meaning both wide receiver and tight end. Jimmy Calloway is the only receiver heading into his final year at college, but if 2023 is a successful season, that likely means that both Jamari Thrash and Ahmari Huggins-Bruce are heading to the pros. One to watch here in the immediate future is top-400 prospect James Madison II, who Louisville is going toe-to-toe against Florida State for, and will commit on -ironically - the Fourth of July.

While Dylan Mesman is an elite prospect, Louisville could use an additional tight end based on numbers/scheme fit alone. They only have four scholarship tight ends on the roster, with one - Joey Gatewood - set to graduate. Jamari Johnson is tailor made for this offense, but he and Mesman will likely need help in 2024, as Duane Martin and Nate Kurisky are more so used to run blocking under Satterfield.

You might look at the current crop of incoming offensive linemen and think Louisville is good up front. Think again. The Cardinals are graduating five linemen after 2023 (Flores, Hudson, Lumia, Miller, Tyler), and Michael Gonzalez has very real NFL potential, perhaps even Renato Brown or Lance Robinson. They need to continue to recruit the position in this cycle, and likely in next offseason's portal cycle.

On defense, the needs could not be more apparent. As of this writing Louisville does not have a single commitment on the defensive line, regardless of position. While T.J. Capers can play on the edge, he projects more so as a linebacker in college. Fortunately, the Cardinals do have quality depth at this area of the field, and are only in line to graduate four players out of a group of 20. But, considering Ashton Gilotte is a prime candidate to leave early for the league (maybe even guys like Dezmond Tell or Jared Dawson as well), they absolutely need D-linemen in this class.

Considering UofL has two commits at linebacker, including their top commitment in modern recruiting history, Louisville is good here - for the most part. Even though Gilbert Frierson is the only linebacker in line to graduate, this area of the field relatively thin numbers-wise, and regarded as the weak spot on the defense heading into 2023. Don't be surprised if UofL adds one, maybe two, additional 'backers in this cycle.

In the secondary, Louisville should be good at safety. Cam'Ron Kelly is the only senior and M.J. Griffin is the top option to turn pro after this season, so landing Hatch and Spearman make up for those losses for the moment.

Their biggest defensive back needs here are, obviously, at cornerback, considering Louisville has none. Storm Duck is heading into his final season, and both Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Quincy Riley could play their way into an NFL draft pick. Rae'mon Mosby is one prospect watch here, but he won't commit until late July, and even then the Cardinals would still need more corners.

(Photo of T.J. Capers via Instagram)

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