Yale Transfer OL Jonathan Mendoza Commits to Louisville

The offensive tackle was an All-Ivy League First Team selection as a senior with the Bulldogs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville football program has landed yet another elite transfer portal prospect from the Ivy League.

Jonathan Mendoza, an offensive lineman who spent the first five years of his collegiate career at Yale, announced Sunday that he has committed to play his final season of eligibility with the Cardinals.

He's the second portal commitment of the day for Louisville, joining former Harvard defensive tackle Thor Griffith. The Cardinals are now up to three additions via the portal, including former Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough.

Mendoza entered the portal back on Nov. 22 as a graduate transfer, and like Griffith, Louisville got involved in his recruitment immediately. The Cardinals offered him a scholarship on Nov. 24, and hosted him for a visit on campus this weekend.

Standing at a hulking 6-foot-9 and 310-pounds, Mendoza was one of the best offensive linemen in the Ivy League this past season. Starting all 10 games for Yale - the first four at right guard and the last six at left tackle - he allowed only one sack, two quarterback hits and 11 hurries in 337 pass block snaps and 662 blocking snaps overall. He earned All-Ivy League First-Team honors for his efforts.

The Westhampton Beach, N.Y. native also earned an All-Ivy League honorable mention as a junior in 2022. That season as Yale's starting right tackle, he allowed only one sack and seven hurries in eight games, 228 pass block snaps and 476 blocking snaps overall. Add in seven games and six starts in 2021, Mendoza has allowed only four sacks and 32 total pressures in 786 career pass blocking snaps and 1,504 total blocking snaps.

Not only is this a massive pickup in terms of his size, Mendoza also fills a massive area of need for Louisville. Between graduation and the transfer portal, the Cardinals are already in line to lose seven offensive linemen from the current roster, including three starters.

Mendoza is expected to sign on Dec. 20 for the first day of the early signing period. Louisville went 10-2 during the regular season with a berth in the ACC Championship Game under first year head coach Jeff Brohm, and are preparing for their Holiday Bowl matchup with USC on Dec. 27.

(Photo of Jonathan Mendoza: Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

You can follow Louisville Report for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

Facebook - @LouisvilleReport
Twitter - @UofLReport
Instagram - @louisville_report

You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter