Two Cardinals Named to PFF's Top 101 College Football Players of 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville football program's 2023 campaign was one that was primarily fueled by an incredibly efficient defense, and the Cardinals' two top defenders have been recognized as two of the best players in the nation.
Over the past week, Pro Football Focus unveiled their list of the Top 101 players from the 2023 season, placing Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley at No. 64 and defensive end Ashton Gillotte at No. 39.
The rankings were based on various factors, such as PFF grades and other advanced statistics. LSU QB Jayden Daniels, UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., Oregon QB Bo Nix and LSU WR Malik Nabers comprised of the top five.
Riley finished the 2023 season with a team-best 11 pass breakups and second on the Cardinals in interceptions with three, tying for the ACC lead with 14 pass defenses. However, while the 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back also collected 49 tackles and 1.5 for loss in the process, he was only voted as an All-ACC honorable mention.
"Riley was a lockdown cornerback for the Cardinals this past season, posting a sixth-ranked 36.5% completion rate allowed," PFF's Max Chadwick wrote. "He surrendered only a 37.2 passer rating when targeted, placing eighth among FBS cornerbacks."
Gillotte collected 14.5 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and 45.0 tackles overall this past season. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound edge rusher's sack total led the ACC, was good for eighth in the FBS, and is placed ninth on the single-season sack list in Louisville history. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors and was the runner-up in ACC Defensive Player of the Year voting, while also earning Second-Team All-American nods from Walter Camp, USA TODAY, Sports Illustrated and The Athletic.
"Gillotte was a driving force behind Louisville’s resurgence," Chadwick wrote. "He produced a team-leading 58 pressures and nine sacks. Gillotte joined UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer as the only Power Five edge players to post 80.0-plus grades as a run defender and a pass rusher in 2023. Tennessee transfer Tyler Baron will join forces with Gillotte next season to form what could be the best edge duo in the ACC."
The Cardinals finished their 2023 season with an overall mark of 10-4 (7-1 in ACC) including a berth in the program's first ever ACC Championship Game, but ended year one under head coach Jeff Brohm on a three-game losing streak.
(Photo of Ashton Gillotte: Jamie Rhodes - USA TODAY Sports)
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