Transfer DB from Tennessee to Louisville Ole Miss Tamarion McDonald
LOUISVILLE, KY: The football team at Louisville has been able to flip another already-committed transfer thanks to their successful transfer portal recruiting campaign.
Defensive back Tamarion McDonald, who played his first four years of college ball at Tennessee, declared on Monday that he has committed to the Cardinals. Prior to flipping, he had verbally committed to Ole Miss last month after changing his mind.
After they were successful in luring FIU defensive tackle transfer Jordan Guerad from Minnesota, McDonald is the second transfer to renounce their commitment to Louisville this cycle. In addition, he is the Cardinals’ eighth commitment in the last four days and their second portal commitment of the day after fellow former Volunteer Wesley Welker.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive back, who plays nickelback in Tennessee’s scheme, has started at the STAR position for several seasons and is coming off of his best year as a college player. Similar to his former teammate Walker, McDonald started the first 10 games of the 2023 regular season before missing the final two due to injury. McDonald finished with 40 tackles, 23 of which were solo, 3.5 for loss, a sack, an interception, and four pass breakups.
In 2022, the native of Memphis, Tennessee, had another fantastic junior season. He started all 13 games, recorded 55 tackles (38 solo), 4.0 for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. During his tenure in Knoxville, McDonald recorded 95 tackles, 8.5 for loss, a sack, four interceptions, and 12 pass breakups. He was also a vital reserve for the Vols during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Louisville’s own STAR position should again be a key component of their defense in 2024, even with how loaded they will be at safety the following season. Benjamin Perry, the defense’s X-Factor, and Antonio Watts, who made multiple plays every time he saw the field, are both returned by the Cardinals.
In this cycle, Louisville has committed 24 transfers while also having 18 scholarship players join the portal during the winter transfer window.
The Cardinals concluded their first season under head coach Jeff Brohm with a three-game losing streak, but they ended 2023 with an overall record of 10-4 (7-1 in ACC), including a trip to the program’s first-ever ACC Championship Game.
