Cornerback Jabari Mack and linebacker Kalib Perry will reportedly return to Louisville's football program after being granted a fifth year by the NCAA, according to on3. Last month, the NCAA granted five years of eligibility to "student-athletes who meet all eligibility requirements and enter college no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday," according to the league's website. The ruling was later expanded to the Class of 2022. On Aug. 7, UofL head coach Jeff Brohm said he was open to the idea of bringing back former players if they received an additional season of eligibility, and he had some players in mind. "For us, we're making sure this ruling and the declaration of how this is going to work becomes fully clear," he said. "We are in a position where we feel like we're able to do what we need to do as long as it's approved by our conference, our administration. "We want to make sure we're on the up and up, doing things right, but there are a couple young men that are in that category for us that we've been in contact with. If we think this will be allowed in other places, if we don't think this will be overturned, we will proceed down that route, for sure." Mack spent his first three years of college at Jacksonville State before transferring to Louisville for the 2025 season. The Floridian became a starter for the Cardinals alongside Tayon Holloway and recorded two interceptions, two pass breakups and 34 total tackles. Mack likely will return to his starting role with Holloway, giving Louisville more depth at the cornerback position. Kentucky transfer DJ Waller previously had been projected to start alongside Holloway. Beasley brought SEC experience to Louisville last year after a three-year stint at Tennessee. The Georgetown native was in and out of the starting lineup, running out first in five of the 13 games played. But he mainly played behind Stanquan Clark, who missed most of the season with an ankle injury, and T.J. Capers — totaling 55 tackles (1½ for loss) and an interception. Louisville will open the season Sept. 6 against Ole Miss at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. .oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}
Courier Journal reporter Alaina Morris contributed to this story. 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: 2 defensive players return to Louisville football under '5-for-5' rule