Louisville’s Tight End spot is a tricky one in Year 1 under Jeff Brohm. Scott Satterfield’s style of tight end is much different than the tight end Jeff Brohm has typically used. Satterfield’s type was more of the Marshon Ford/Isaac Martin brand guys that are more H-Backs/Fullbacks that are multiple and not necessarily the prototype Pro-Style 6’5, 240 lbs Tight End version that Jeff Brohm has used over the years.
As a result of that contrasting style, Louisville Football’s Tight End position is in a transition.
My Projected Depth Chart
- #42 Josh Lifson (6’3, 235, Gr.)
- #85 Nate Kurisky (6’3, 235, Soph.)
- #11 Jamari Johnson (6’5, 265, Fr.)
- #84 Joey Gatewood (6’4, 245, R-Sr.)
- #45 Duane Martin (6’2, 260, Jr.)
- #89 Gage Reale (6’2, 235, Soph.)
Former walk-on Josh Lifson had a huge Spring under new head coach Jeff Brohm. Lifson is taking full advantage of the void left by Marshon Ford and taking advantage of the coaching change in a big way. Lifson comes from Louisville’s KCD and appeared in all 13 games last year for Louisville and played previously at Wofford College. Lifson caught a 9-yard TD pass last year against Pitt.
But Lifson is going to have some fierce competition…. and the truth is that a lot of different Tight Ends are going to see the field in different situations for Jeff Brohm. Nate Kurisky redshirted last year and did not see game action, but came to the Cards as the #2 player in Washington D.C. in the 2022 class a year ago. Kurisky appears to have a significant upside after turning down offers from Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska and Pitt out of high school.
But keep a sharp eye out on Jamari Johnson who comes to Louisville from Inglewood HS in Los Angeles. Jamari has the prototype frame that Jeff Brohm is looking for and was a highly sought after player in high school as a 4-star player ranked #190 overall and the #11 tight end in the 2023 class. Jamari turned down Alabama, Arizona, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State & Washington to name a few. But…… Jamari is a freshman and while he has the physical gifts to play high-level football, college football is an adjustment. I’d be on the lookout for Jamari’s role to steadily increase throughout the season as he becomes more comfortable in the Brohm offense.
Joey Gatewood is an interesting prospect. Formerly a QB Gatewood signed and played at Auburn, Kentucky, then was switched from QB to WR at Central Florida…. has now moved to Tight End at Louisville. I would say that Gatewood probably comes in for obvious passing situations. Whereas, Duane Martin provides a power element. Martin has been with the program for 3 years and has been able to play a significant role. Duane is super athletic, especially at 260 lbs.
Tight End is going to be a position that will probably vary in production throughout the season.
POSITION PREVIEWS
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