LOUISVILLE, KY: The Louisville football program’s first year under Jeff Brohm was renowned for having an extremely effective defense. The Cardinals concluded the 2023 season with the best red zone defense, ninth-best rushing defense, tenth-best third-down defense, and twenty-first-best total defense, despite Brohm’s reputation as an offensive coach.
Louisville was missing a key member of their secondary, but all of this was still achieved. One of the Cards’ best defenders in 2022, starting safety M.J. Griffin, sustained a lower leg injury during fall camp that forced him to miss the whole 2023 season.
Regarding Griffin’s injury and his availability in 2024, there is encouraging news. Despite being limited throughout spring ball, Brohm says Griffin’s rehabilitation is “way ahead of schedule” and anticipates him returning to “100 percent” by the summer.
“We’re thrilled to have MJ back. He’s almost back to normal,” Brohm stated. “Throughout the spring, we’ll probably limit him, but by June, he’ll be moving at full pace. Right now, I believe he is well ahead of schedule, and we are eager for him to return.
” The 210-pound, 6-foot-1 defensive back was a major contributor to Louisville’s 2022 defensive comeback.
After spending the first five games of that season almost entirely on special teams, the Temple transfer was moved to free safety against Virginia due to an injury sustained by regular starter Kenderick Duncan.
For the rest of the season, Griffin maintained this position, and his promotion to the starting lineup greatly reduced the number of big plays Louisville was conceding.
Before Griffin entered the starting lineup, the Cardinals allowed an average of 210.4 passing yards per game; after that, they allowed an average of 188.6.
The product of Ypsilanti, Michigan, finished sixth on the team in tackles with 45, despite receiving significant defensive playing time in just eight of the 13 games. He also recorded two interceptions and a forced fumble during the season.
