Offense
The quarterback position will belong to Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz. He has a ton of talent but lacks game experience. He pushed Julian Sayin for that job last season. He has a good arm and adds dual threat ability. Something UL hasn’t had in a while. West Georgia transfer Davin Wydner will compete with Kienholz.
The running back room returns All-ACC, and future All-American, Isaac Brown. Brown averaged nearly nine yards per carry last season. Keyjuan Brown also returns and averaged over seven yards per carry. This duo will strike fear into opposing defenses. Missouri transfer Marquise Davis provides depth.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Treyshun Hurry, Terrence McWilliams, and Kris Hughes. The additions of Elizjah Lewis (D2 Pace), Jakob Dixon (Eastern Kentucky), Lawayne McCoy (Florida State), Montavin Quisenberry (Kentucky), Tre Richardson (Vanderbilt), Jackson Voth (Drake), and tight end Brody Foley (Tulsa) are massive for this unit.
The offensive line room is very transfer heavy. Lance Robinson, Sam Secrest, and Naeer Jackson have the most returning experience. The additions of Evan Wibberley (Kentucky), Johnnie Brown III (Georgia Southern), Eryx Daugherty (Boston College), Cason Henry (South Carolina), and Anwar O’Neal (Delaware) are crucial for this team’s success.
Defense
The defensive line room returns some experience in Clev Lubin (All-ACC) and AJ Green. The additions of Jacob Smith (Kentucky), Jerod Smith II (Kentucky), Demeco Kennedy (Purdue), Tyler Thompson (North Carolina), Daylen Russell (Miami), Tommy Ziesmer (Eastern Kentucky), and Joshua Donald (Houston) could help propel this defense to new heights.
The linebacker room returns production in TJ Capers, Stanquan Clark, Antonio Watts, and Trent Carter. Capers, Watts, and Clark are a fantastic trio to build this defense around. The addition of Benjamin Perry (UCLA) provides another piece to this solid unit.
The secondary returns starting cornerback Tayon Holloway but will rely on tons of transfers. The additions of Kaleb Beasley (Tennessee), TJ Banks (Ole Miss), Keon Entringer (Iowa), DJ Waller Jr. (Kentucky), Myles Norwood (South Carolina), Brycen Scott (Elon), and Sanatan Wilson (Texas) create a potentially scary unit.
Specialists
Punting duties should belong to Eastern Kentucky transfer Jacob Baker. While kicking duties will see a competition between Carson Hilbert and Nick Keller. Keller has the experience advantage.
2026 Schedule
- 9/6 vs Ole Miss in Nashville, TN
- 9/11 Villanova
- 9/19 SMU
- 9/26 Wake Forest
- 10/3 at NC State
- 10/9 Florida State
- 10/17 at Syracuse
- 10/31 Stanford
- 11/7 at Georgia Tech
- 11/14 at North Carolina
- 11/21 Pittsburgh
- 11/28 at Kentucky
Final Analysis
Jeff Brohm has done some great things throughout his career at Louisville. This transfer portal haul being one of them. Piecing things together and getting this group to gel will be key. Watch out for the Cards as a ACC Title favorite and possibly more.
