How Cataurus Hicks, other Louisville football transfers fared in 2025

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Prior to Louisville football’s game against Pitt on Sept. 27, wide receiver Cataurus Hicks received a warm greeting from several Cardinals players and coaches. 

There was no bad blood there. Although Hicks was projected to be the future of Louisville’s receiving group, he opted to transfer to Pitt during the offseason. Players facing their former school is becoming more common, especially when they transfer within the conference. 

A week after Hicks had 113 yards and a touchdown on four catches in a 34-27 loss to his former team, safety Devin Neal was in the same situation. The former Cardinal had four tackles and two pass breakups to help Virginia to a 30-27 overtime win over Louisville. 

Neal started for the Cavaliers and led the team in tackles (70) en route to the program’s second ACC championship game. Hicks started in 11 of 12 games and helped the Panthers to eight wins for the first time since 2022. He was Pitt’s third-leading receiver with 24 receptions for 422 yards and four touchdowns. 

Here’s how Louisville’s other 2024 offseason outgoing transfers fared at their new schools: 

Jamari Johnson, Oregon: The New York native’s departure from Louisville was unexpected, but he had a strong debut season with the Ducks. Johnson started seven of 10 games played and had 277 yards and a touchdown on 19 catches. 

Mason Reiger, Wisconsin: After suffering an injury that kept him out of his final season at Louisville, Reiger started in 11 of 12 games for the Badgers and totaled 33 tackles, including six for loss, five sacks and four hurries. 

Jared Dawson, Notre Dame: The defensive lineman started in seven of 11 games played for the Fighting Irish, recording 20 tackles, including 3 ½ for loss. 

Jimmy Calloway, Tulane: In his debut season with the Green Wave, Calloway had three receptions for 52 yards in 12 games played. 

Maurice Turner, Tulane: The former Cardinal was limited to 127 yards on 27 carries in seven games played while battling an ankle injury. 

Austin Collins, Syracuse: Collins started 576 snaps in nine of 10 games played at center and gave up only three sacks.

Jahlil McClain, Fresno State: He made four starts in 11 games played, totaling 169 yards and a score on 13 receptions for the Bulldogs. 

Jojo Stone, Florida International: Stone was a top-five receiver for FIU, totaling 244 yards and two touchdowns on 19 receptions in 12 games played. 

Izayah Cummings, Appalachian State: After making stops at Louisville and Kentucky, the Male High School graduate played in eight games and had the fourth-most receiving yards on the team (374) with a touchdown on 37 catches. 

Jadon Thompson, Memphis: He had eight catches for 86 yards with two starts in 12 games played. 

Joe Crocker, Baylor: He played six snaps in one game at right guard. 

Makhete Gueye, Missouri State: He played 16 snaps in four games played at left tackle. 

Demon Clowney, South Carolina: Clowney followed in his cousin Jadeveon’s footsteps by becoming a Gamecock but wasn’t as successful in his first year with the program. He only had six tackles in seven games played for South Carolina. 

William “Woo” Spencer, SMU: The New Albany, Indiana, native’s only game played was the team’s regular-season finale against California, but the defensive tackle didn’t log any stats.

AJ Vinatieri, Lindenwood: Vinatieri averaged 41.8 yards per punt, including five touchbacks and six punts that went more than 50 yards for the Lions. 

Monroe Mills, Virginia: Missed the 2025 season with a season-ending ACL injury 

Madden Sanker, Florida Atlantic: Medically retired 

Donald Chaney, Charlotte: Entered the transfer portal in September 

Jaiden Spearman, Bucknell: Did not play 

Darius Thomas, Oklahoma State: Did not play 

Harrison Bailey, Florida: Did not play 

Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville football transfers fared well at new programs in 2025

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