LOUISVILLE, Ky. – An already loaded defensive line for the Louisville football program is bringing back another talented piece for year two under head coach Jeff Brohm.

Defensive tackle Jermayne Lole will be returning to the Cardinals for the 2024 season, a program representative tells Louisville Report. While the representative could not confirm that Lole was granted a medical redshirt, one was required for him to return for one final year in college.

This past year, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound lineman was finally able to stay healthy for an entire season, and in turn showcased at times what once made him such a highly regarded NFL prospect. Playing in 12 of Louisville’s 14 games with nine starts, Lole finished with 19 total tackles, five for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two pass break ups.

The Long Beach, Calif. native joined Louisville prior to the 2022 season after spending four seasons at Arizona State, but suffered a season-ending elbow injury in the opener against Syracuse. In 2021, his final year with the Sun Devils, he was also sidelined for the entirety of that season due to a triceps injury suffered in fall camp.

But when healthy, Lole was not only an X-Factor for ASU, he was one of the best interior defensive linemen in college football. In 28 appearances over his first three seasons with Arizona State, he totaled 123 tackles, 20.0 for loss, 11.0 sacks, eight pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

Bringing back Lole is the cherry on top of what is shaping up to be an extremely talented defensive line for Louisville. Not only do they bring back All-American edge rusher Ashton Gillotte, they are welcoming Harvard defensive tackle Thor Griffith, FIU defensive tackle Jordan Guerad and Tennessee defensive end Tyler Baron. The Cardinals also return key players on the line such as Mason Reiger, Dezmond Tell, Ramon Puryear and Jared Dawson.

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 Jermayne Lole, Sam Hartman: Jamie Rhodes – USA TODAY Sports)