LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Under Jeff Brohm, the Louisville football program’s defensive line returns a significant piece for year two.
Junior defensive end Ashton Gillotte announced his decision to return to the Cardinals for the 2024 season on social media on Thursday.
“After much consideration, I will be returning for the 2024 season,” Gillotte said in a video posted to Twitter. “Go Cards!”
During the 2023 season, the 6-foot-3, 270-pound star edge rusher was not only Louisville’s most impactful defender but also one of the top defensive linemen in college football.
Gillotte recorded 14.5 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 45.0 tackles overall while starting all 12 regular-season games and the ACC Championship Game against Florida State. His sack total led the ACC, was eighth in the FBS, and is currently ninth on Louisville’s single-season sack list. According to Pro Football Focus, his 40 quarterback hurries rank fifth in the FBS.
As you might expect, the Boca Raton, Fla., native has received numerous honors for his outstanding junior season. He was named First-Team All-ACC and finished second in ACC Defensive Player of the Year voting, while also being named Second-Team All-American by Walter Camp, USA TODAY, Sports Illustrated, and The Athletic.
Gillotte enters his senior season as a Cardinal with 29.5 tackles for loss, 22.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 88 total tackles in 36 career games. He is currently ranked 10th all-time in Louisville history in terms of sacks.
Louisville’s 2023 season will conclude later this month in the Holiday Bowl against USC. Kickoff against the Trojans is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, December 27 from Petco Park in San Diego, Calif.
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