The 2026 transfer portal window opened on Friday, and Louisville got right to work on rebuilding a roster that has major holes to fill. Our man, John, laid out all the rules and nuances of the portal, as well as the current state of the roster. I’m here to give an update as the first weekend closes and the first full week begins. The Cards find themselves in a bit of a rough spot due to losing so much production from a team that wasn’t very deep to begin with. However, the staff has done well to retain the core of the returning talent available.
Now that they have held on to Isaac Brown and others, let’s take a look at the guys who have committed so far. Below is a running list of the scholarship distribution compared to last year.
- Quarterback – 2025: 4 2026: 3
- Running Back – 2025: 5 2026: 5
- Wide Receiver – 2025: 9 2026: 8
- Tight End – 2025: 6 2026: 5
- Offensive Line – 2025: 18 2026: 17
- Defenisve End – 2025: 9 2026: 9
- Defensive Tackle – 2025: 8 2026: 6
- Inside Linebacker – 2025: 7 2026: 5
- Outside Linebacker – 2025: 1 2026: 3
- Cornerback – 2025: 6 2026: 7
- Safety – 2025: 7 2026: 3
Lincoln Kienholz – Quarterback – Ohio State
Jeff Brohm entered this portal cycle with a plan to significantly improve the offensive line and bring in a high-level quarterback from the transfer portal. In my opinion, that wasn’t possible for Louisville. Quarterback NIL demands have skyrocketed, and there aren’t many players available who are a sure thing, in my opinion.
The Cards had a choice between investing multiple millions of dollars into flawed starters like DJ Lagway or Dylan Riola, or taking in a high-ceiling prospect who showed promise. To me, it was a choice between a Miller Moss type of prospect or a less seasoned version of Tyler Shough.
I won’t fault anyone for not being sold on the decision, but I will argue the reasoning, as this roster has to be nearly completely rebuilt outside of the core of returners. Going with Kienholz allowed the staff to shift some funds to Isaac Brown, and they will be able to improve the offensive line and wide receivers.
With that out of the way, let’s get into Kienholz as a prospect. The Cards are getting a very athletic quarterback who adds to the playbook with his ability to use his legs. LK (I’m trying it out) can make plays throwing the ball on the run, and he can run the read option and handle RPO calls. His arm strength is still to be seen, but I clipped a play below that is a true “NFL throw” from the opposite hash.
Kienholz will likely have two red flags to watch for, with both being pretty normal for an inexperienced quarterback. He will have issues with his footwork as he works through progressions. If his first read isn’t there, he might struggle with his feet as he moves to the next option. This will also lead to some potential “hero ball” or forced throws as he works to trust his line and fully understand the offense. I think it’s imperative that they add talent around him.
Marquise Davis – Running Back – Missouri
Louisville lost Duke Watson to the portal after an injury-plagued and subpar season. They were able to persuade Isaac Brown to return for one final season, but they needed to add depth at the position as well as a succession plan for when Brown heads to the NFL. Enter Davis, who was a 4-star running back prospect in the 2025 class.
Davos was a Kentucky commit at one point who was recruited by Vince Marrow. He flipped to Missouri late in the process and ended up having a productive true freshman year for the Tigers. Davis played in 3 games and finished the season with 34 carries, 200 yards, and two touchdowns. Davis made the most of every opportunity he had, and Louisville will have four years to work with him from an availability standpoint.
Daylen Russell – Defensive Tackle – Miami
Louisville doesn’t have a contributor returning at defensive tackle, and at this point, they really only have one scholarship player at the position. They were able to bring in a solid ACC talent in Russell, who nearly chose the Cards out of high school. Russell was on campus multiple times with TJ Capers, but he decided to stay home and head to Miami.
After redshirting his freshman season, Russell appeared in 5 games this year with 29 total snaps, 6 tackles, and a tackle for loss. UofL is getting a player who has seen the field at this level, so he at least provides depth. At best, he gets a fresh start in a new system, and he works his way into a starting role. Either way, the Cards are getting an ACC talent with good size to shore up a position that lacked depth and talent outside of the starters this past season. I’d expect the staff to add a few more players in the middle of the defensive line.
DJ Waller – Cornerback – Kentucky
Steve Ellis has earned the right to bring in whoever he wants in the portal, in my opinion. Waller is a big corner who started his career at Michigan before heading to UK for a starting position. At Michigan, he put up solid numbers for a true freshman reserve. He played in 10 games as a corner and held opposing quarterbacks to a 58% completion percentage against him. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy over the last two seasons at UK, but if he can get healthy for the Cards, he should be able to walk into the starting position across from Tayon Halloway.
Waller is physical as you would expect from a 6-3/203 corner, but he also shows a good ability to match receivers down the field in coverage. While he is solid as a tackler, UofL will need him to be better at taking out the runner’s legs on the edge. Waller tends to tackle high with his size, but getting to the ball quickly and cutting down runners is a staple for UofL corners. The potential has always been there for Waller, and Steve Ellis is one of the best in the country at maximizing potential.
1/6 UPDATE
Louisville got on the offensive line board with two pickups from the portal today. They then went on a run of commitments during the Duke game. The Cards are up to 10 additions from the portal over the last few days.
Eryx Daugherty – Offensive Guard – Boston College
Louisville was able to land an ACC starter to slide right into an open position at guard on the offensive line. Daugherty ranked as one of the best pass blockers in the ACC per PFF, and outside of a very rough game against Notre Dame, he held his own against a strong schedule of defenses.
Louisville needs to replace three starters up front, and they have no experienced depth on the roster at this point. Getting a legit starter to plug right into the lineup is a very big deal for the staff. Daugherty should pair up with Jordan Church at guard, with the center spot still left to be filled. If they can bring in a high-level center, you have to feel good about the top of the depth chart for the Cards.
Anwar O’Neal – Offensive Tackle – Delaware
The Cards also picked up a starter at offensive tackle in O’Neal, who is coming off his second All-Conference performance in a row. The Delaware native seems to have flown under the radar as a recruit as the Blue Hens moved up in competition to Conference USA this year, and his play continued to excel.
Like Daugherty, O’Neal had a rough game this season, but played very well in the other games on the schedule. He is a super-experienced left tackle who has also played some snaps on the right side. I would expect him to slot right in on the left side of the line for UofL—a very nice addition for Richard Owens and the staff.
Jacob Smith – Edge – Kentucky
Vince Marrow has gone after a handful of Kentucky players whom he recruited in the past, and he landed the Smith twins, who were high-level high school recruits two years ago. Jacob Smith is an edge player who played an outside linebacker role for the Cats last year. We will have to see who takes over at defensive coordinator for the good guys next year, but he would project as a defensive end in Clev Lubin’s role in the previous system.
Jacob didn’t see the field much for the Cats outside of special teams, but a change of scenery could jumpstart his production. At 6-4/246, he has the size to handle ACC competition, and at the very least, he will provide depth for the Cards at a position of need.
Jerod Smith – Defensive End – Kentucky
Jerod Smith has had more of an impact than his brother so far in his career. Jerod has 24 games under his belt with 283 snaps this past season. He finished the year with 10 total pressures as a pass rusher with 5 tackles for loss and a sack. Jerod’s best game was arguably against Louisville, where he had 6 tackles and 4 stops (tackles that constitute a “failure” for the offense).
The Cards needed a replacement for Wesley Bailey at defensive end, with Clev Lunin and AJ Green being better as pass rushers. Jerod will give them a very good presence at defensive end at 6-4/275. This will give UofL a very good three-man rotation like they had this past season, but Jerod has a higher ceiling as a player and should be better against the run with his size and experience in the SEC.
Demeco Kennedy – Defensive Tackle – Purdue
Defensive tackle is a position that is completely barren after the season ended, so it is nice to see them add another big body with experience to the mix. Kennedy played 450 snaps this year for the Boilermakers with 4 starts. His PFF grades were subpar, but he did have 12 pressures and 10 stops on the year. Louisville will need those numbers to transfer, as he will have better players around him.
We still have a lot of time left in this portal cycle to see the staff add more players in the middle, but they have, at the very least, added two young players inside who have P4 experience. Kennedy could work his way into being a starter, but he will be a part of the rotation this year, and he will be a legitimate upgrade over the depth the Cards had this season.
Johnnie Brown – Offensive Tackle – Georgia Southern
The Cards landed five players during the basketball game tonight, with Brown being the last addition in roughly two hours. UofL is getting another player who performed well this year, with Brown being one of the better run blockers in the country per PFF grades. Brown allowed a lot of pressure this season as a left tackle, but gave up only 3 sacks. He will battle for a starting spot, but I’m not certain what position he will play for the Cards.
Brown is 6-3/315; it’s possible that Brown slides down to guard for the Cards. I’m not as concerned with what position he will play as I am excited for the depth that is being built on the line. UofL is a handful of days into the portal, and they have good depth at tackle to go with options at guard. Finding a center will be key, but they will also need to get to 9-10 total guys they feel good about playing. The staff couldn’t have asked for a better start. Now they have to continue to build out a line that will get them into the playoff.
1/7 UPDATE
The Cards landed two players last night after I posted the update for the day. Jeff Brohm and his staff landed eight players on the day, and in doing so, solidified the tight end position, barring any defections.
Justyn Reid – Tight End – Tulane
Tight end has been a position of underperformance for the Cards, and this year, it was clear that the staff needed to address the position in the offseason. Nate Kurisky transferred out to Duke, which left the team with only Jaleel Skinner with experience on the roster. The staff solidified the position in about an hour, with Reed being the first addition to the group.
At 6-5/255, Reid will bring great size to the offense at a position that has been pretty light from a blocking standpoint. Skinner and Kurisky left a lot to be desired from this standpoint this past season, and it had an impact on the running game. Reid should be able to come in and help in that area while also being an option in the passing game, with his height helping in the red zone.
Brody Foley – Tight End – Tulsa
I would entertain an argument that Foley might be the most athletic tight in Jeff Brohm has had in his career. Foley was one of the most sought-after transfers at his position in the portal, and I would imagine a clear path to be a focal point of the Cards’ offense was a good sell for the staff. Foley is 6-6/260, but he runs like a much lighter player while also displaying a versatile skill set that allows him to line up in different areas of the offense.
Foley isn’t known for his blocking, but his PFF grades stand out for a player who is sometimes split out as a receiver or lined up as a fullback. Foley was also the “wildcat” quarterback in Tulsa’s offense, with a handful of carries in short yardage for good yardage. Where I liked him most in my review of his highlights is as an outside option on wheel routes and other delayed routes down the field. When he got out into the open field, he picked up big yardage very quickly. He has long strides, but he is also clearly fast for a tight end, and he can run away from defenders.
It’s early in the portal window, but Foley might be the best player the staff has added so far.
Cason Henry – Offensive Tackle – South Carolina
Louisville entered this portal cycle with a clear plan to focus on the offensive line to ensure they don’t have the issues upfront that plagued them this past season. They have now added four offensive linemen who were starters at their previous school, with two of those players coming from Power Four schools.
Henry comes to UofL after missing most of this season with a shoulder injury. He was the starting right tackle for the Gamecocks last season with mixed results. He struggled early in the season but improved mightily as a pass blocker as the season went on. Henry also started this season with three strong showings before he was injured. If the Cards can get the improved version of Henry, he should be in line to be a starter.
1/10 UPDATE
Jacob Baker – Punter – EKU
Louisville got a nice addition with Baker out of Eastern Kentucky. Baker was a preseason FCS punter of the year nominee and finished the year as an all-conference pick by Phil Steele. UofL finished the season ranked 130th in punting average. Baker has 29 punts of 50+ yards in his career. He should provide a nice boost to a position that has struggled.
Montavin Quisenberry – Wide Receiver – Kentucky
Quisenberry was Mr. Football in Kentucky last year before spending his first year in Lexington. He got a handful of snaps this year in garbage time but didn’t have an impact as a true freshman. He is a compact player at 510/175, and he is more quick than fast. He should project as an option as a returner, as well as good depth in the slot.
Hardley Gilmore – Wide Receiver – Kentucky – Flipped to Baylor
Louisville seems to be looking to add more depth than just top-line talent at wide receiver after spending last year struggling to find production outside of Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy. Gilmore will add depth on the outside at the very least and should be a candidate to start and be one of the top few options as well. Gilmore flashed some ability as a true freshman two years ago with 6 catches for 153 yards, including a nice catch against the Cards. He finished this year with 28 catches for 313 yards while being a consistent option in the passing game.
Ben Perry – LB/S – UCLA
Not much to break down here as Ben Perry returns to Louisville after spending a year out west at UCLA. Perry was a mainstay at the hybrid outside linebacker/safety position for three seasons before Antonio Watts passed him on the depth chart. Perry played three snaps for UCLA before an injury ended his season. He will have one year to finish his career with the Cards.
Louisville never replaced Perry when he left, as Watts did not have a true backup this season. At the very least, he will allow Watts to take some plays off, but he could also provide some schematch creativity as Watts plays some snaps at safety this season on third downs. There might be a world where we see both players on the field together.
Tyler Thompson – Edge – North Carolina
The Cards got big news when Clev Lubin announced he was coming back, and you could say the same about the news of AJ Green returning as well. However, adding Thompson will take the pass rush to a completely different level. Thompson was one of the best pass rushers in the ACC with 7 sacks and 20 pressures as a reserve on the Tar Heel defense.
Thomspson is listed between 225-240 pounds, so it’s a little hard to know where he fits if he were to be a starter, but he will give the Cards another situational pass rusher on third downs, and he will give the defense the ability to match up in different ways against different schemes. At this point, Thompson is one of the best additions in the portal for UofL.
Tre Richardson – Wide Receiver – Vanderbilt
The biggest addition for the Cards so far is Richardson, who is a big play threat any time he touches the ball. Richardson ranked 25th in the country in yards per catch this past season as Vandy’s third option. He also had 806 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns while showing the ability to be a legit deep threat at 5-10/175. Richardson can get behind the defense with ease, but I felt that he improved as the season went on with his route running. He beat guys with his movements and got separation early in the route more often.
Louisville entered this portal window with one receiver returning with any experience. Antonio Meeks has since hit the portal himself, so Richardson is the de facto number one option at this point. While I think he will play a similar role to Caullin Lacy, I think Brohm will look to expand that role to be more similar to Charlie Jones, who played inside and outside for him at Purdue. While the Cards need to add another outside option, I’d be happy to see Richardson be the top option.
Santana Wilson – Cornerback – Texas
Wilson got a few snaps for Texas this year, but he will head to Louisville as a redshirt freshman with an opportunity to expand his playing time in a potential rotational role. Louisville only has three cornerbacks with experience right now, so Wilson could push his way past one of those guys or at least find himself in a position to see the field in packages or due to injuries. I’ll always bank on Steve Ellis when it comes to his evaluations.
Koen Entringer – Safety – Iowa
Louisville did not have a starting safety until Entringer came in for a visit and left as a Card. The veteran safety from Iowa excels in the box as a run defender, and he is one of the best in that role. Entringer is an outstanding tackler who can bring down running backs or tight ends like a linebacker, while also being able to run down receivers down the field. Entringer is also very good at defending the edge on run plays and screens.
The Cards don’t play a lot of two-high safety outside of passing situations, so Entringer will fill a role as a box safety who comes down behind the linebackers or on the edge opposite of Antonio Watts. While he is not great in coverage as a safety, Entringer can hold his own against tight ends when needed. One thing that is for certain is the fact that Iowa coaches their defensive backs very well. He will come in with great technique and experience from his time there.
1/12 UPDATE
Tommy Ziesmer – Defensive Tackle – EKU
Louisville landed another portal guy from the state of Kentucky to bolster the depth at defensive tackle. Zeismer finished the year with 53 tackles and 3 sacks in his first year for the Colonels after transferring from UK. Ziesmer has solid size at 6-2/296, which should allow him to be a rotation option with Daylen Russell. He has shown solid athleticism in the past, so it’s possible that he can be a disruptive player if that athleticism has translated as he’s gained weight.
Louisville is still undermanned at defensive tackle at this point. They’ve lost the top four players at the position from last season, but they’ve only brought in one player who has started at this level. With a few days left, the staff will have to add depth at the very least, but they will likely need to bring in an impact player as well.
Davin Wydner – Quarterback – West Georgia
Jeff Brohm had to replenish his entire quarterback room, so adding a productive player to back up his new starter made sense. Wydner was a walk-on at Ole Miss before heading to West Georgia, but he went to Ole Miss in spite of having multiple P4 offers, including Pitt, Maryland, and Georgia Tech. He will bring the ability to run the ball with the potential to be used in special packages with his 6-5/220 frame.
Lawayne McCoy – Wide Receiver – Florida State
Louisville needed to add a legit starter on the outside, and they got a guy who has shown real flashes of being a star. McCoy was a consistent contributor for a Florida State offense that struggled to throw the ball. McCoy finished second on the team in catches and third in yards. He finished the season with an outstanding performance against Florida with 6 catches, 110 yards, and a touchdown.
The Cards lost Hardley Gilmore to Baylor after he committed, so McCoy should be able to have a bigger role next year. I expected him to be the second option anyway, but unless UofL lands a big fish in the last few days, we might see TreyShun Hurry returning to pair with McCoy on the outside.