Top-100 '24 DE Dylan Stephenson Names Louisville to Top 10

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - On the heels of a successful 2023 recruiting class, the Louisville football program is starting to parlay that momentum into the 2024 cycle.

Dylan Stephenson, a highly touted defensive end from Miami (Fla.) Columbus, announced his list of top ten schools on Friday with the Cardinals making the cut. Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State and Tennessee are also still in the running for his commitment.

Even though Stephenson is being recruited by a new coaching staff at Louisville, he is still very familiar with the Cardinals. He took a visit over the summer, returned in October for UofL's win over Pitt, and has a relationship with recruiting coordinator John Herron, who was retained from the previous staff by new head coach Jeff Brohm.

"I have visited Louisville twice already and I like it up there," he told On3's Chad Simmons. "Louisville has shown me I can play early and I like what I know about the new coaching staff so far. They have a plan and seem to know what they are doing.”

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound edge rusher ranks as high as the No. 7 player at his position and the No. 60 overall prospect in the Class of 2024, according to Rivals. In 11 games tracked by MaxPreps during his junior year at Columbus, Stephenson logged 22 tackles (20 solo) and 4.0 tackles for loss. He helped lead the Explorers to a 14-1 overall record, securing a Florida Class 4M State Championship and the No. 23 national ranking.

Stephenson isn't the only Class of 2024 prospect from Miami (Fla.) Columbus that Louisville is currently targeting. Outside linebacker T.J. Capers, who is the No. 5 overall player in the cycle, is set to announce his commitment Saturday at the All-American Bowl and is considered a heavy Louisville lean.

Louisville has just one commitment in the 2024 cycle, coming from Homestead (Fla.) HS running back Isaac Brown. Last month, the Cardinals signed 12 of their 13 high school commits as part of the current cycle's early signing period.

(Photo of Dylan Stephenson via Twitter)

You can follow Louisville Report for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

Facebook - @LouisvilleReport
Twitter - @UofLReport
Instagram - @louisville_report

You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter