A former college linebacker for the Louisville Cardinals is dead at the age of 27, according to the university, which announced the death of ex-player PJ Blue this week.
Blue, who hailed from Jemison, Alabama, was a member of the program’s 2016 recruiting class and was vaunted as a player with a bright future, with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham talking up his ability at the time.
We are saddened by the passing of Cardinal Forever P.J. Blue.
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) April 7, 2025
Our thoughts are with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/SNrSrgP2k1
Blue entered college as an intriguing prospect. An Under Armour All-American and U.S. Army All-American nominee, he was selected as part of the All-Metro team first-team All-State at Park Cross High School.
He chose to attend Louisville after receiving offers from Alabama, Clemson, and Ole Miss, among other top schools in the nation. He joined the Cardinals as a redshirt freshman in 2016, when Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson was still quarterbacking the team.
Grantham expressed excitement over PJ Blue when he came in, pointing out that he had everything he needed to be a true defensive force.
“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,” he said back then.
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Injuries Derailed PJ Blue’s Career In College
Blue was unfortunate in that injuries kept him off the team. He was only able to play in 2018, making 11 appearances for the University of Louisville, four of which were starts. He registered 39 tackles, two of them for loss, and made a career-high eight in a game against Florida State.
UL took to social media on Monday to lament Blue’s passing.
The school tweeted, “We are saddened by the passing of Cardinal Forever P.J. Blue. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
A cause of death has not been revealed since news of Blue’s passing broke.
We at TPS would like to offer our sympathies to PJ Blue’s family, friends, and loved ones.
May he rest in peace.
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