Louisville Football 2024 Roster Look: Wide Receiver

Mark BlankenbakerJanuary 4, 2024

Chris Bell 6’2, 225: 29 receptions, 407 yards, 2 TDs.
Jadon Thompson 6’2, 190. 12 receptions, 135 yards, 1 TD.
Jimmy Calloway 6’0, 190. 20 receptions 242 yards.
Cataurus Hicks 5’10, 170. 1 reception, 11 yards
Jahlil McClain 5’11, 185
Jatavian Churchill 5’10, 185
Jaedon King 6’0, 175
Kris Hughes 5’11, 190

Departing:

Jamari Thrash 63 receptions, 858 yards, 6 TDs.
Ahmari Huggins-Bruce: 20 receptions, 312 yards, 4 TDs
Kevin Coleman 26 receptions, 362 yards, 2 TDs.
Allan Houston 3 receptions, 27 yards
Elijah Downing, 1 reception, 7 yards
William Fowles 1 reception, 7 yards.

Incoming

Caullin Lacy (South Alabama), 5’10, 190. 91 receptions, 1316 yards, 7 TDs in 2023. 65 receptions, 812 yards, 6 TDs in 2022.
Ja’Corey Brooks (Alabama) 6’2, 196. Limited in 2023. In 2022 Brooks had 39 receptions, 674 yards and 8 TDs.
Antonio Meeks 6’2, 190 (Tuskegee University 2 years experience) 74 receptions, 1437 yards 11 TDs in 19 games.
JoJo Stone 5’11, 180. True Freshman. 4-star from Fairburn, GA.
Shaun Boykins 6’1, 190. True Freshman. 3-star from North Hardin, KY.

Louisville had something special with Jamari Thrash in 2023. Thrash played through a hand injury throughout 2023 and still managed to put up big numbers and gave the Cards a viable all systems threat in the offense.

Beyond Thrash though was a young and inconsistent wide receiving corps. Chris Bell established himself as a possession guy with possibly more in the future. Kevin Coleman & Ahmari Huggins-Bruce both had their moments, but didn’t sustain that for the course of the season. Jimmy Calloway teases with his ability to get open, but leaves a lot to be desired with his ball-catching ability and ball security.

It will be interesting to see how Jadon Thompson, Cataurus Hicks and Jahlil McClain do with an expanded role and more time under their belt in the offense. But it’s clear that Jeff Brohm had to go into the portal and get some game-breakers at wide receiver while the youth develops.

Thus enter Caullin Lacy and Ja’Corey Brooks. Caullin Lacy is a seasoned guy from the Sun Belt that was clearly playing below his level the last two seasons at South Alabama. Lacy is productive, gets open and has the wiggle that makes defenses take notice. Ja’Corey Brooks wasn’t the same in 2023 for the Crimson Tide as he was in 2022 and now with a fresh start Ja’Corey will have a big chance to shine in the Jeff Brohm offense. I wouldn’t count out a freshman to factor either, JoJo Stone is a big time player and Shaun Boykins is a tremendous find in Louisville’s backyard. The wide receiver position is open for business in 2023….and Brohm likely isn’t done adding if he doesn’t see what he wants this Spring.

And Jeff Brohm wasn’t done adding to this position. Antonio Meeks was added to the transfer class from D2 Tuskegee University where he has played two seasons and amassed over 1400 yards in just 19 games.

2024 Position Looks: