The Louisville Cardinals suffered a potential massive blow to the offense after wide receiver Caullin Lacy announced his transfer intentions.
Lacy, a former standout wide receiver for South Alabama, opted out of the 2024 season after playing in a handful of games. Lacy suffered a broken collarbone and missed significant time this season, returning to play while still recovering. The receiver had 179 yards and 15 receptions through four games of play for the Cardinals this season, with a notable kickoff return for touchdown.
During his time with South Alabama, Lacy recorded 2500 yards and 13 touchdowns for the team primarily during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The receiver also returned a punt for a touchdown and ran the ball frequently for South Alabama during his four seasons with the program.
The wide receiver has big NFL dreams, but they could remain dreams depending on how the 2024 season would have played out. Lacy and his agent, David Ben-Zaken, believe that spending the year to “get healthy” and assess his situation is the best option at this time. The wide receiver is on his final year of eligibility, and would be finished with collegiate football if he were to play five games this season.
BREAKING: Louisville WR Caullin has opted out for the remainder of the season.
The very talented receiver has been limited this season due to a collar bone injury.
Lacy and Louisville are working out a deal for him to return for the 2025 season!#GoCards‼️ pic.twitter.com/7ZB9EUpoi8
— Louisville.Updates (@louvilleupdates) October 24, 2024
While Lacy may have announced his decision to enter the portal and opt out of the 2024 season, one thing he never did was close the Louisville door.
Louisville Cardinals Could Bring Caullin Lacy Back Next Season Despite Opt Out
While many Louisville Cardinals fans were upset over the decision Lacy made, the wide receiver might not go very far at all.
Lacy previously transferred from South Alabama for the exposure of his game, after including himself in the top wide receiver conversation at a small school. The plan did not work out, as a broken collarbone derailed the success Lacy thought he would have.
The Louisville Cardinals are currently 4-3 with no hopes to win the ACC or contend for a high-level bowl, so Lacy opted out. While some may feel it is selfish, the receiver had been playing injured and trying to make an impact despite not being fully healthy.
With just four games left in the season, it made more sense for Lacy to spend the rest of the season recovering than forcing himself into a precarious situation. With Lacy aiming to recover from his injury rather than leave, it is still very possible Lacy will remain with the program.
The big question that is potentially holding back a return is what other top-level programs think of Lacy. With little to no production this season, teams are going to have to focus on his film from the 2023 season, and whether or not the receiver can return to that level.
If Lacy were to stay in the transfer portal, who would be a big question mark to a lot of top-level teams who could opt for entries with more success during the 2024 season.
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