Former College Football Player Dead Monday At 27

A former University of Louisville football player has passed away, the program announced Monday.

P.J. Blue, a former linebacker for the Cardinals, has died at 27. A native of Jemison, Alabama, Blue was a member of UL's 2016 recruiting class. After enrolling, he made an immediate impression upon the coaching staff.

"I'm excited about him," Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said at the time. "Anytime you can get big guys who can run and hit, you're going to be good on defense. He's a guy who has length, has size, has the ability to run. He has position flexibility. ... I think he's got a bright future."

Knee injuries unfortunately wrecked Blue's college career, preventing him from seeing action except during the 2018 season.

That year, the 6-foot-3, 229-pound Blue appeared in 11 games for the Cardinals, making four starts. He recorded 39 total tackles, including two for loss, notching a career-high eight stops in a game against Florida State.

"We are saddened by the passing of Cardinal Forever P.J. Blue. Our thoughts are with his loved ones," Louisville football tweeted Monday afternoon.