Louisville football’s transfer portal additions have played a key role in team’s 5-0 start

Despite having a thin secondary, Louisville safety Cam Kelly has been a rising star for the Cardinals.

His performance in the Cardinals’ 13-10 win over N.C. State earned him the ACC’s Defensive Back of the Week honors for the second time this season, the first coming from his showing against Indiana.

Kelly, who had a key third-quarter interception as part of U of L’s second-half shutout in its win over the Wolfpack and is the team’s second-leading tackler (24), was one of 25 players to transfer to Louisville during the offseason after 26 players from the program entered the transfer portal. Making up about one-third of the team, the group was the top-rated transfer class in the country, per On3’s portal rankings. Only Colorado (51), Arizona State (31) and SMU (26) had more incoming transfers. Of the four programs, Louisville is the only one that remains unbeaten entering Week 6.

The new Cardinals have been vital in helping U of L to its first 5-0 start since 2013 with a tough upcoming game against No. 11 Notre Dame at L&N Stadium Saturday night.

Including Kelly, eight transfers have been starters for Louisville this season — five on offense. Wide receiver Jamari Thrash has been one of the most impactful newcomers. The Georgia State transfer has a team-high 444 yards (No. 21 nationally) and five touchdowns (tied for 12th in the country) on 22 catches. And his 88.8 receiving yards per game ranks 23rd nationally.

Thrash made his debut with the Cardinals by catching two touchdown passes and totaling 88 yards on seven receptions in the season opener. It was fellow receiver Kevin Coleman who scored the first touchdown of the season, though. The Jackson State transfer caught a nine-yard pass from California transfer Jack Plummer in the second quarter against Georgia Tech.

Coleman’s versatility makes him an asset not…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/louisville-footballs-transfer-portal-additions-091737905.html

Author : The Courier Journal

Publish date : 2023-10-03 09:17:37

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