Louisville Flips Illinois Transfer CB Tahveon Nicholson from Ole Miss

Nicholson is the second former Rebels commit to flip to the Cardinals.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Yet another transfer is spurning Ole Miss to join the Louisville football program instead.

Tahveon Nicholson, a cornerback who spent the first four years of his collegiate career at Illinois, announced Wednesday that he has committed to the Cardinals. He had previously been committed to the Rebels since last month before flipping his commitment.

Nicholson is the third transfer to flip their commitment to Louisville from Ole Miss, joining defensive back Tamarion McDonald and edge rusher Tyler Baron.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound corner has been a regular component in the Illini secondary for the past two seasons, and his coming off of his most productive year in college. Playing in all 12 regular season games in 2023 while starting 11, Nicholson logged 36 tackles, two for loss, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

After having a minimal role with Illinois during his first two seasons in college, the Jacksonville, Fla. native took a big step forward in 2022. That season, he started in 10 games before missing the final three due to injury, collecting 19 tackles, one for loss, an interception, six pass breakups and a forced fumble in the process. 

Louisville might have lost Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Storm Duck to the NFL Draft, but they are shaping up to have an elite cornerback room in 2024. On top of adding Nicholson, they are also bringing in UCF's Corey Thornton and UNC's Tayon Holloway, as well as bringing back All-ACC corner Quincy Riley.

Louisville has now landed 26 transfer commitments in this cycle, while also seeing 18 scholarship players of their own enter the portal during the winter transfer window.

The Cardinals finished their 2023 season with an overall mark of 10-4 (7-1 in ACC) including a berth in the program's first ever ACC Championship Game, but ended year one under head coach Jeff Brohm on a three-game losing streak.

(Photo of Tahveon Nicholson via University of Illinois Athletics)

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